Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/167

 Cliap. 106.] W0>"3)ERS OF FOUNTAINS A.ND EITEES. 133 Suirentum, not only twigs wliieli are immersed in it, but likewise leaves are petrified; the Avater at the same time being proper for drinking. In the stream ^^hich runs from the marsh of Eeate^ there is a rock, which continues to increase in size, and in the Red Sea olive-trees and green shrubs are produced". There are many springs which are remarkable for their warmth. This is the case even among the ridges of the Alps^, and in the sea itself, between Italy and ^^naria, as in the bay of Baiae, and in the Liris and many other rivers'*. There are many places in which fresh water may be procured from the sea, as at the Chelidonian Isles, and at xlrados, and in the ocean at Grades. Green plants are produced in the ■warm springs of Padua, frogs in those of Pisa, and fish in those of Yetulonia in Etruria, which is not far from the sea. In Casinas there is a cold river called Scatebra, which in sum- mer is more full of water^. In this, as in the river Stymphalis, in Arcadia, small water-mice are produced. The fountain of Jupiter in Dodona, although it is as cold as ice, and extinguishes torches that are plunged into it, yet, if they be brought near it, it kindles them again^. This spring always becomes dry at noon, from which circumstance it is called In a subsequent part of the work, xxxi. 8, our author remarks, " Keatinis tantum pahxchbus ungulas jvuuentorum indurari." We may presume that the water contained some sahne, earthy or metallic substance, either in solution, or in a state of minute division, which would produce these effects. It does not appear that anything of this kuid has been obsei'ved by the modems in this water. 2 The coral beds with which the Red Sea abounds may have, given rise to this opmion : see the remarks of Alexandi-e in loco. Hardouiu informs us, that this clause respecting the Red Sea is not found in any oftheMSS. Lemaire, i. 441. A similar observation occm-s in a subse- quent part of the work, xiii. 48. 3 There are thermal springs in the Alpine valleys, but not any in the elevated parts of the Alps themselves. 4 The volcanic nature of a large portion of the south of Italy and the neighbouring islands may be regarded as the cause of the warm sprmgs which arc found there. melted snow; it would appear to be colder, bccaiisc its temperalm'e would be less elevated than the other streams in the neighbourliood. ^ The statement, if correct, may be referred to (lie discharge of a quan- tity of intlammable gas from the surface of the water. TLo fact is meu- tioned by Lucretius, vi. 879, 880, and by Mela.
 * This river may be supposed to have been principally siipplied by