( 3 79 ) 
turrfd ap, fends up a FJame ; but within three or four 
Ytr^s of it there grows CornaU round about ; for it con- 
tinues always in the faniie Spot. This Flame kerns to 
proceed from a Vein of Bitumen or Naphtha that cropes 
(as the Miners call it) only here ^ which, when by plow- 
ing, or (bmt other Accident, the upper Cruft has been 
turn'd up, was kindled into a Flame by the Heat and 
Agitation of the Air, as other SalinO'Sulphureous Bo- 
dies are, of which Efquire Boyh Phofpkorm is a particu- 
lar Inftance, the like fpontaneous Accenfion is ften in 
many mineral Subftances, but none that I know of, fo 
quick in its produdJion or lafting, as this is, the whole 
Woods and Fields have been deftroyed by them. The 
Neighbours there have been (b little curious to obferve 
it, that they believed that there was a great Hole in the 
Flame-place ; but he found it to be firm Ground. Nei- 
ther does any there remember when, and upon what 
Qccafion it firft began. The flaming Well near Wigan 
ieems to proceed from a Caufe much like this, in which 
you may boyl an Egg, and upon the approaching of a 
lighted Candle it takes Fire, both (eem to proceed from 
a Naphtha or fubtle Bitumen^ only that in a hotter 
Country, and being in a dryer Soyl, is more Subtle and 
inflammable ; juft as the Petroleum which is found in 
Italy is a white-like Spirit of Turpentine ; and is more 
penetrating than the Petroleum which is to be found in 
the Northern Countries ; an Inftance of which we have 
in a Well two Miles diftant from Edinhurghy called the 
BaulmeWelly of a black red colour, and very thick, but 
being diftill'd, does in Colour, Tafte and Smell, refemDi^ 
that of Italy, What Lonicerus fays of the Naphtha is not 
improper for this Place, viz, that 'tis of two forts, Can- 
dida ® Nigray Candida pr^fertur ; getter atur ex hitumine 
a feipfo in terra © montihus accenfo^ tenuijftmis ejus va» 
porihus furfum elatis^ & ad frigidora faxa in tenuem It- 
K k k X ' gmrem 
