610 ELEUSIS TO ATHENS. 
CHAP, consecrated flood '. It is hardly credible, that a 
A^ 
supply of this nature was afforded by any of 
the shallow streams which might have been 
found near to this spot, struggling for a passage 
through their now exhausted channels. There 
is something remarkable in the natural history 
of the lake, besides the saline property of its 
water. Our guides informed us, that petroleum, 
or, as it is vulgarly called, mineral tar, is often 
collected upon its surface ; which is extremely 
probable, owing to the nature of the sand-stone 
stratum whence the water flows, and to the 
marshy nature of the land in its vicinity. Two 
mills are now turned by the two streams issuing 
from this lake. After having passed the Rheti, 
we came to a narrow pass, skirting the base of a 
marble rock towards the shore, and cut out of 
the solid stone, having the sea close to us 
upon our right hand. This narrow pass was 
evidently the point of separation between the 
two antient kingdoms of Eumolpus and Erec~ 
theus*. Hence, turning from the shore towards 
(1) \iynreci 3* tl 'PEITOI Ka;*; iiyu *< &nftnr(af iTww 1 *i rtvi i%4Sf *$ 
tu<rSi rus itftvfir \e<ni a.lti7i ftitei; . Pans. Attic, c. 37* p. 91. ed. Kuhnii. 
(2) According to the valuable work of Mr. Holhmae, it bears the 
appellation usually bestowed upon such passes, ,of Kake Scala 
the evilu-ay. See Holhonses Journey thitntgli Albania, S(c. p. 37 3. 
Lund. 1813. 
