CHAP. 108. (104.)—OF MALTHA.
In Samosata, a city of Commagene[1], there is a pool which
discharges an inflammable mud, called Maltha[2]. It adheres
to every solid body which it touches, and moreover, when
touched, it follows you, if you attempt to escape from it.
By means of it the people defended their walls against
Lucullus, and the soldiers were burned in their armour[3]. It
is even set on fire in water. We learn by experience that
it can be extinguished only by earth.
1. Samosata is situated on the Euphrates,
in the north of Syria.
2. The Petroleum or Bitumen of
the modern chemists; it is a tarry
substance, more or less fluid, which has probably been produced by carbonaceous
matter, as affected by heat or decomposition, below the surface of the earth.
Our author has exaggerated its properties and action
upon other bodies.
3. Respecting the
transaction here mentioned, I shall refer to the note
of Hardouin, Lemaire, i. 452.