150 DOMAIN IX. ANOMALOUS. 



is covered with it for leagues together. When 

 the weather is thick and hazy, the springs boil 

 up the higher ; and the naptha often takes fire 

 on the surface of the earth, and runs in a flame 

 into the sea in great quantities, to a distance 

 almost incredible. In clear weather the springs 

 do not boil up above two or three feet; in boil- 

 ing over, this oily substance makes so strong a 

 consistency, as by degrees almost to close the 

 mouth of the spring; sometimes it is quite closed, 

 and forms hillocks that look as black as pitch ; 

 but the spring which is resisted in one place, 

 breaks out in another. Some of the springs, 

 which have not been long opened, form a mouth 

 of 8 or 10 feet diameter. 



" The people carry the naptha, by troughs, 

 into pits or reservoirs ; drawing it off from one to 

 another, leaving in the first reservoir the water, 

 or the heavier part with which it is mixed when 

 it issues from the spring. It is unpleasant to the 

 smell, and used mostly amongst the poorer sort 

 of the Persians, and other neighbouring people, 

 as we use oil in lamps, or to boil their victuals; 

 but it communicates a disagreeable taste. They 

 find it burn best with a small mixture of ashes : 

 as they find it in great abundance, every family 

 is well supplied. They keep it at a small dis- 

 tance from their houses, in earthen vessels, under 



