BOOK IT.] History of Nature. \ 45 



merable small Matters, which naturally are poured out in 

 Abundance ? In Nymphaeum there cometh a Flame out of 

 a Rock, which is set a-burning with Rain. There is the 

 like at the Waters called Scantiae. But this is but feeble 

 when it passeth, neither endureth it long in any other Mat- 

 ter. There is an Ash-tree covering this fiery Fountain, which, 

 notwithstanding, is always green. In the Territory of Mu- 

 tina, there riseth up Fire also, upon Days devoted to Vulcan. 

 It is found written, that if a Coal of Fire fall upon the arable 

 Fields under Aricia, the Soil presently is on Fire. In the 

 Sabines Territory, as also in that of the Sidicines, Stones 

 anointed will be set on Fire. In aTown of the Salentines, called 

 Egnatia, if Wood be laid upon a certain hallowed Stone there, 

 it will immediately flame out. Upon the Altar of Juno 

 Lacinia, standing in the open Air, the Ashes lie immovable, 

 blow what stormy Winds that will on every Side. Besides, 

 there be Fires that suddenly arise, both in Waters and even 

 about the Bodies of Men. Valerius Antias reporteth, that 

 the Lake Thrasymenus once burned all over : also, that when 

 Servius Tullius, in his childhood, lay asleep, a Flame shone 

 out of his Head l : likewise, as L. Martins made an Oration 

 to the Army after the two Scipios were slain in Spain, and 

 exhorted his Soldiers to revenge their Death, his Head was, 

 in like Manner, in a Flame. More of this, and more dis- 

 tinctly, will we write by-and-by. For now we exhibit the 

 Wonders of all Things intermingled together. But my Mind 

 being passed beyond the Interpretation of Nature, hasteneth 

 to lead, as it were, by the Hand, the Minds of the Readers 

 throughout the whole World. 



1 There are instances in modern, as well as in ancient times, of such 

 luminous appearances proceeding from the human body : most commonly 

 when it is in a state of emaciation or chronic disease. Its cause is, the 

 excretion of phosphoric vapour mixed with the perspiration. This lu- 

 minous appearance has been largely interpreted by superstition. Wern. 

 Club. 



