[ 299 ] 
through the Stone, that it becomes diverted of all 
fuch Particles as produce Smoke or Smell. The 
Stone and Earth arc grey in Colour, and faltifh to 
the Tafte j and indeed much Salt is found on this 
Peninfula of Abfcheron. There is alfo a fait Lake, 
near the Side of which the white Naptha flows by 
five different Springs. This Naptha is made ufe 
of only in the medicinal Way. It is yellowifh from 
the Spring, but when diftilled refcmbles Spirit of 
Wine. They give it internally, for Gonorrhoea's, 
Diforders of the Bre^jft, and for the Stone ; and 
they apply it externally in gouty Cafes, Contrac- 
tions of the Sinews, and Cramps. 
Black Naptha is produced 8 or 9 Miles from 
the perpetual Fire ; it is thick, and being diftilled 
grows not clear but yellow. About Baku there is 
fome of it fo thick, that they employ it for greafing 
Wheels : But the beft and greateft Plenty, is at Ba- 
lachame , where there are above 50 Springs, the 
greateft whereof produces every Day 500 Batman , 
each Batman containing ten Rufs Pounds, which 
are fome what lefs than Englifh Weight. You hear 
it make a confiderable Noife in riling out of the 
Ground, though the Spring be 20 Fathom deep. 
In Baku they have little or no other Fewel to 
burn belides Naphta , but it muft be mixed with 
Earth or Afhes to make it fit for Ufe. The Fire it 
makes is only good to boil with j and this Incon- 
veniency attends it, that all their Food fo boiled 
fmells and taftes of Naphta. For baking and roaft- 
ing they make ufe of Abrotanum , Abfynthium , and 
fuch-like j but in general Naphta is their Fire. 
r 
* 
Yon 
