242 
FROM THE HELLESPONT 
CHAP. 
VII. 
Burning 
Vapour. 
upon testimony which it is difficult to dispute, 
that in stormy weather they have observed a 
lambent flame playing upon the face of the 
precipice of Samosy about two-thirds of its 
height from the surface of the water. They 
further allege, that the natives of Samos have 
frequently gone up the mountain, in dark tem- 
pestuous weather, to seek this tire, but have 
never been able to discover whence it issues. 
It is probably one of those exhalations of ignited 
hydrogen gas, found in many parts of the world, 
which are always most conspicuous in hazy and 
rainy weather; as, for exa^nple, the burning 
vapour at Pietra Mala in Tuscany, and many 
other in different parts of Persia. That of Samos, 
perhaps, from its inaccessible situation, rendered 
still more difficult of approach in stormy weather, 
might escape the search of the natives, and yet 
be visible from a considerable distance at sea'. 
(1) An anecdote very characteristic of the Turku, relating to an 
occurrence wliich happened a short time previous to our travels in 
Turkey, will prove that lights are sometimes exhibited by the Samians 
themselves, to guide vessels in these Straits. A Turkish frigate, during 
her passage through the Boccaze of Samos, was wrecked upon the 
rocks of that island. The Turkish Admiral insisted upon being paid 
the value of the frigate by the inhabitants : and when the Samians, 
regretting that they had not gone up with lights, maintained their 
innocetfce as to the loss of the frigate, the Mohammedan exclaimed, 
" You will admit one argument ! JVould the wreck have happened, if 
your island had not been in the way?" The force of this observation, 
which is strictly founded upon the Mohammedan law, has been illus- 
trated 
