NOME XXI. BITUMINOUS ROCKS. ]4f) 



" If a cane or tube, even of paper, be set 

 about two inches in the ground, confined and 

 close with the earth below, and the top of it 

 touched with a live coal, and blown upon, im- 

 mediately a flame issues, without hurting either 

 the cane or paper, provided the edges be covered 

 with clay ; and this method they use for light in 

 their houses, which have only the earth for the 

 floor : three or four of these lighted canes will 

 boil water in a pot, and thus they dress their 

 victuals. The flame may be extinguished in the 

 same manner as that of spirits of wine. The 

 ground is dry and stony; and the more stony 

 any particular part is, the stronger and clearer 

 is the flame ; it smells sulphureous, like naptha, 

 but not very offensive. 



" Lime is burnt to great perfection by means 

 of this phenomenon ; the flame communicating 

 itself to any distance, where the earth is unco- 

 vered to receive it. The stones must be laid on 

 one another, and in three days the lime is com- 

 pleted. Near this place brimstone is dug, and 

 naptha springs are found. 



" The chief place for the black or dark grey 

 naptha, is the small island Wetoy, now uninha- 

 bited, except at such times as they take naptha 

 from thence. The Persians load it in bulk in 

 their wretched vessels, so that sometimes the 



