Account of the Natural Fire Temples of the Guehres. 27 
inclined plane upon the excavated earth, by which the oil may 
be removed. The inside of the well, which is of a square shape, 
is lined as it proceeds, with squares of cassia wood staves, each 
of which is about 6 feet long, 6 inches broad, and 2 inches 
thick. They are rudely jointed together, and pinned at right 
angles to each other, so as to form a square frame about 4 § feet 
for the uppermost ones, but more contracted below. The wells 
belong to the proprietors of the ground, some families posses- 
sing four or five, and are sunk and wrought for their benefit. 
The expence of sinking a new well is about 2000 ticals of 
flowered silver, or about 2500 sicca rupees, and the average 
profit annually is about 1000 ticals. The oil is always drawn 
pure from the wells, the temperature preserving it in a liquid 
state when in the well. In cold weather, however, it con- 
geals in the open air. It is of a dingy green colour and 
odorous. It is used in lamps, and when boiled with a little 
dammer, it is used for painting the timbers of houses, and the 
bottoms of boats, which it protects against the attacks of vermin. 
It is used also as a lotion in cutaneous eruptions, and as an 
embrocation in bruises and rheumatic affections. 
Each well yields at an average about 500 vis, or 1825 lb. 
avoirdupois per day, and the labourers earn above 8 ticals per 
month. Each well is worked by four men, who receive one- 
sixth of the value of the oil obtained, either in money or in oil, 
at the option of the proprietor. Mr Cox calculates the gross 
amount of oil obtained every year from the 520 wells registered 
by government, to be 92,781 tons, or 412,360 hhds, the value 
of which at the well will be (at the rate of tical for 100 vis,) 
711,750 ticals, or 289,737 sicca rupees. 
The oil is carried from the wells in small jars by coolies, or in 
carts, to the river, where it is delivered to the merchant exporter, 
at 2 ticals per 100 vis. The gross value, therefore, or profit to 
the country, deducting 5 per cent, for wastage, may be stated at 
1,081,860 ticals, or 1,362,325 sicca rupees per annum, or about 
L. 170,290 Sterling, yielding a direct annual revenue to the 
King of 186,232 sicca rupees, or L. 17,029 Sterling. About 
70 or 80 boats, of the average burden of 60 tons, are constant- 
ly loading oil at the wharf, besides others going and coming. A 
number of boats and men are also constantly employed in pro- 
yiding pots, See. for the oil. 
