70 Dr. Nugent on the Pitch-Jake 



of it are to be met with in the woods : it is even said that an evident 

 line of communication may thus be traced between the two great 

 receptacles. There is every probability, that in all these cases the 

 pitch was originally fluid, and has since become inspissated by ex- 

 posure to the air, as happens in the Dead Sea and other parts of 

 the east. 



It is for geologists to explain the origin of this singular pheno- 

 menon, and each sect will doubtless give a solution of the difficulty 

 according to its peculiar tenets. To frame any very satisfactory 

 hypothesis on the subject, would require a more exact investigation 

 of the neighbouring country, and particularly to the southward and 

 eastward, which I had not an opportunity of visiting. And it must 

 be remembered that geological inquiries are not conducted here 

 with that facility which they are in some other parts of the world ; 

 the soil is almost universally covered with the thickest and most 

 luxuriant vegetation, and the stranger is soon exhausted and over- 

 come by the scorching rays of a vertical sun. Immediately to the 

 southvv-ard, the face of the country as seen from la Braye, is a good 

 deal broken and rugged, which Mr. Anderson attributes to some 

 convulsion of nature from subterranean fires, in which idea he is 

 confirmed by having found in the neighbouring woods several hot 

 springs. He is indeed of opinion that this tract has experienced the 

 effects of the volcanic power, v/hich, as he supposes, elevated the 

 great mountains on the main and the northern side of the island.* 

 The production of all bituminous substances has certainly with plau- 

 sibility been attributed to the action of subterranean fires on beds of 

 coal, being sepairated in a similar manner as when effected by arti- 

 ficial heat, and thus they may be traced through the various trans- 



* Vide 79th vol. Pliilos. Trans, or Aun. Register for 1789. 



