304 ME M O I R S of the 
An Eruption of Fire near Fierenzolaj hy Dr. Rob. ^t. Claif. 
Phil. Tranf. N° 245. p. 578. 
DR. St. Clair received an account from his brother, that on 
the fide of one of the Appenine mountains, half way 
betwixt Bologna and 'Florence^ near a place called ^etra mala^ 
about five miles from Fierenzola, there is a fpot of ground 
about three or four miles diameter, which inceffantly fends up 
a flame rifing very high, without noife, fmoak, or fmell, yet it 
gives a very great heat, and it has been oblerved to be thus at all 
times, except when great rains fell, which put it out for a time 5 
but when it is over, it burns with greater vigour and heat than 
before^ the fand about it, when turned up, fends forth a flame; 
but within three or four yards of it, there grows corn all round 
about, for it continues always in the fame fpot : The flame 
fecms to proceed from a vein of Situmen or Naphtha^ that 
crops, as the miners call it, only here 5 which, when by plow- 
ing, or fome other accident, the upper cruft has been turned 
up, was kindled into a flame, by the heat and agiiation of the 
air, as other falino-fulphureous bodies are, of which Mr. Boyle's 
phofphorus is a particular inftance, the like fpontaneous accen- 
Son is feen in many mineral fabftances, bur none that I know 
of, fo quick in its produ6lion, or fo lafl:mg, as this is ; the 
whole woods and fields around having been dcftroyed by it 5 the 
neighbours there have been fo little curious to obferve it, that 
they believed there was a great hole in the place the flame 
proceeded from 5 but the Doctor's brother found it to be firm 
ground; neither does any tkere remember, when, and upon 
what occafion it firfl: began: The flaming well near Wigan 
feems to proceed from a caule much like this, in which you 
may boil an egg, and upon the approach of a lighted candle, it 
takes fire; both feem to proceed from a 'Naphtha, or fubtilc 
tBitwnsn^ only that is in a hotter country, and in a dryer foil, 
is more fubtile and inflammable 5 jufl: as the ^Petroleum (rock 
oil) which is found in Italy ^ is a white like fpirit of turpen- 
tine, and is more penetrating than the ^Petroleum which is found 
in more northern countries; an inftance of which we have in a 
well two miles diftant from Edinburgh called the jBaulme "Jcelh 
of a blackifh-red colour, and very thick ; but being difl:illed, 
does in colour, tafte, and fmell, refemble that of Italy: The 
fpontaneous accenfion of the Naphtha feems to be made out by 
the Imcll our Bitumen near Edinburg yields, being almoft like 
coal- 
