Queries concerning Amber . * 141 
Quere 2. If it be inquired, where thefe 
Materials are to be found, and how they can 
be brought together ? may it not be aofwer- 
ed, that in fome Countries, and particularly 
in Perjia, near the Cafpian Sea, there are 
Springs where Naptha rifes out of the 
Bowels of the Earth; and that the Ground 
thereabouts is fo faturated therewith,'that, on 
fcraping off the Surface, and applying a 
Candle near it, a Fume ariiing therefrom im¬ 
mediately takes Fire, and continues burn¬ 
ing, with a clear and conftant Flame, until 
it becomes extinguished by throwing Earth 
upon it, or fmothering it by fome other 
Means * ? If therefore, fuch bituminous 
Oil 
* Two Letters now lie before me, with Accounts of thefe 
Naptha Springs ; one from Dr. 'James Mounfey, Phyflcian to 
the Army of the Czarina, the other from Jonas Hanway, Efq; 
both Gentlemen, who by their Travels, their Relidence ia 
MuJcovy , and their Acquaintance with feveral People who 
have been upon the Spot, have had great Opportunities of 
becoming perfe&ly informed of every Thing relating to this 
Subject; and whofe Judgment and Veracity may be depend¬ 
ed on. Both their Accounts agree, that on the Wellern 
Coaft of the Cafpian Sea, not far from the City of Baku, there 
is a large Spot of Ground, where, on taking off i or 3 Inches 
of the Surface of the Earth, and then applying a live Coal, 
the Place uncovered catches Fire, even before the Coal 
touches the Ground, and fends forth a light blue Flame, 
which goes not out unlefs it be fm ot he red by throwing Earth, 
or fomething elfe, upon it. This Flame makes the Earth 
hot, but does not confume it. If a Tube (even of Paper) or a 
Reed be fet about two Inches in the Ground, and made clofe 
below with Earth, on touching the Top of it with a live 
Coal, and blowing, a Flame immediately iffbes forth, with¬ 
out burning either the Reed or Paper, provided the Edges be 
covered 
