Notices of the Geology and Mineralogy of Sicily. 209 
composing in the air. It is at a little distance from masses 
of granite alternating with limestone hills and insulated 
masses of gypsum. First discovered about 1650, repeat- 
edly abandoned and re-opened since; has been used ex- 
tensively in the foundries of F.di Nisi. 2. At F. di Nisi, 
very slow in burning. 3. At Castrogioyvanni, burns 
with much smoke and a bright flame. 4. At Taormina. 
These three last are rather bituminous schists. There 
are many other localities of bituminous schist, sufficiently 
combustible to serve as fuel, particularly in the moun- 
tains of Patralia. The foliated bituminous earth of Hybla 
is of this class, yellowish in thin layers, burns suddenly. 
with a bright flame and a strong odour. 4 
Naphtha is found in large quantities in the Lago dei Pa- 
lici, the waters of the lake are strongly impregnated with 
it, and it diffuses its odour to a great distance. In the 
vicinity of Paterno there are Javas imbued with naphtha ; 
all the pores and cavities are filled with it, and it contina- 
ally drops from the fissures, and hardens into petroleum. 
Petroleum, very abundant. In ancient times found in 
great quantities in the vicinity of Agrigentum; now only 
one fountain is remaining. (S. dnna.) At Patralia is a 
fountain, (della Madonna di Patralia,) on the surface of 
which it collects and hardens around it into tabular flakes. 
It is less abundant and more dense than formerly. They 
can collect only two pounds a day. Near Bivona is an- 
other fountain yielding still less. Near Alessandria is a - 
rock of crystalline porous limestone imbued with naphta, 
and from which petroleum trickles. At all these localities 
there are churches dedicated to the Virgin, (madonna deld 
olio,) and the fountains themselves are under the care of 
monks residiag there. ‘The oil is considered a sacred 
remedy by superstitious Catholics. ‘There are a great 
many other fountains of petroleum scattered over the 
island. 
Maltha is collected in large quantities at the foot of a 
bituminous limestone rock, near Ragusa in V. di Noto. 
Very tenacious, and shining like tar. 
Asphalium, im the argillites at Nissoria, near Nicesia ; 
also at Capizzi and Lionforte, where it is called black am- 
ber (ambra nera); also at Lago dei Palici. There are 
Vor. VITEL—No. 2. 27 
