Chap. 108. (104.)—Of Maltha

Chap. 107.—The Wonders of Fire and Water United.

And now I must give an account of some of the wonders of fire, which is the fourth element of nature; but first those produced by means of water.

In Samosata, a city of Commagene, there is a pool which discharges an inflammable mud, called Maltha. 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. It is even set on fire in water. We learn by experience that it can be extinguished only by earth.