Chap. 106.] WONDERS OF FOUNTAINS AJfD EITEBS. 133 



Surrentum, not only twigs which are immersed in it, but 

 likewise leaves are petrified; the water at the same time 

 being proper for drinking. In the stream which runs from 

 the marsh of Keate* there is a rock, which continues to 

 increase in size, and in the Red Sea olive-trees and green 

 shrubs are produced'^. 



There are many springs which are remarkable for their 

 warmth. This is the case even among the ridges of the 

 Alps^, and in the sea itself, between Italy and ^naria, as in 

 the bay of Baiae, and in the Liris and many other rivers'*. 

 There are many places in which fresh water may be procured 

 from the sea, as at the Chelidonian Isles, and at Arados, and 

 in the ocean at Gades. Green plants are produced in the 

 warm springs of Padua, frogs in those of Pisa, and fish in 

 those of Vetulonia in Etruria, which is not far from the sea. 

 In Casinas tlH?re is a cold river called Scatebra, which in sum- 

 mer is more full of water*. In this, as in the river Stymphalis, 

 in Arcadia, small water-mice are produced. The fountain 

 of Jupiter in Dodona, although it is as cold as ice, and 

 extinguishes torches that are plunged into it, yet, if they be 

 brought near it, it kindles them again*. This spring always 

 becomes dry at noon, from which circumstance it is called 



In a subsequent part of the work, xxxi. 8, our author remarks, 

 " Reatinis tantum paludibus ungulas jumentorum indurari." We may 

 ])resiune that the water containetl some saUne, earthy or metallic substance, 

 I'ither in solution, or in a state of minute division, which would produce 

 these effects. It does not appear that anything of this kind has been 

 observed by the modems in this water. 



2 The coral beds with which the Red Sea abounds may have given 

 rise to this opinion : see the remarks of Alexandre in loco. Hardouin 

 informs us, that this clause respecting the Red Sea is not found in any 

 of the MSS. Lemaire, i. 441. A similar observation occvirs in a subse- 

 quent part of the work, xiii. 48. 



3 There are thermal springs in the Alpine valleys, but not any in the 

 elevated parts of the Alps themselves. 



* The volcanic nature of a large portion of the south of Italy and the 

 neighbouring islands may be regarded as the cause of the warm springs 

 wliich are found there. 



^ This river may be supposed to have been principally supphed by 

 melted snow ; it would appear to be colder, because its temperature would 

 be less elevated than the other streams in the neighbourhood. 



6 The statement, if correct, may be referred to the discharge of a quan- 

 tity of inflammable gas from the surface of the water. The fact is men- 

 tioned by Lucretius, ^i. 879, 880, and by Mela. 



