CHAP. 14.—WATERS WHICH SERVE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR OIL.
Polyclitus says, that the water[1] of the river Liparis,[2] near
Soli, in Cilicia, is used as a substitute for oil, and Theophrastus
mentions a spring of that name in Æthiopia, which is possessed
of similar properties. Lycus says, that at Tasitia[3] there is a
fountain of it, the water of which emits light: the same is
asserted, too, of a spring at Eebatana. According to Theopompus, there is a lake at Scotussa,[4] the waters of which
heal wounds.
1. He no doubt alludes to "petroleum," rock-oil, or Barbadoes tar.
2. So called from the Greek liparo\s, "unctuous."
3. A new reading given by Sillig in place of "India," the former one.
Tasitia is the name of a district mentioned by Ptolemy, iv. 7, 15, as being
in Æthiopia. He alludes to a burning spring, probably, of naphtha or of
petroleum. The burning springs of Bakou in the East are well known.
Genoa is lighted with naphtha from the village of Amiano, in Parma.
4. In Macedonia.