150 ASPHALT. 
Asphalt is also found near ancient Babylon; and 
there is reason to suppose that the mortar so celebrated 
amongst the ancients, and with which the walls of Baby- 
lon and of the Temple of Solomon were cemented, was 
nothing more than a preparation of asphalt. We are 
informed by Herodotus that a composition of heated 
bitumen, mixed with the tops of reeds, was used by the 
ancients as a cement. This account is confirmed by 
modern travellers, who assert that the remains of build- 
ings have been discovered in which bitumen was for- 
merly thus employed. It is presumed to be the same 
substance which, in our translation of the Old Testa- 
ment, is called pitch, and which was used by Noah, as 
an exterior and interior coating of the ark; by the 
mother of Moses as a coating for the little vessel in 
which he was exposed ; and on various other occasions. 
As an article of modern utility, it is to be remarked 
that the Arabians dissolve asphalt in oil, and, with the 
mixture, smear their horse harness, to preserve it from 
the effects of weather, and the attacks of insects. In a 
state of solution it is applied, in several eastern coun^ 
tries, as a covering for timber and the bottoms of ships. 
It is occasionally used in the cleansing and healing of 
ulcers, and other sores. In France it is manufactured 
into a substance which is in considerable request for 
greasing the wheels of carriages. It is used by the 
makers of watch-dials, who mix it with lamp black, and 
oil of turpentine ; but its chief use is as an ingredient in 
certain varnishes, and particularly in the varnish used 
by copper-plate engravers. It is frequently adulterated 
by a mixture with common pitch ; but this is easily dis- 
covered by the smell. 
Besides the countries and places already mentioned, 
asphalt is found in several parts of America, in the 
island of Trinidad, in the province of Neufchatel, and 
many parts of the Continent of Europe. 
217. COAL FAMILY. 
The component parts of coals are principally carbon or 
charcoal (48), and bitumen (216). 
