[Footnote 18: The naphtha, the oleum incendiarium of the
history of Jerusalem, (Gest. Dei per Francos, p. 1167,) the
Oriental fountain of James de Vitry, (l. iii. c. 84,) is
introduced on slight evidence and strong probability.
Cinanmus (l. vi. p. 165) calls the Greek fire: and the
naphtha is known to abound between the Tigris and the
Caspian Sea. According to Pliny, (Hist. Natur. ii. 109,) it
was subservient to the revenge of Medea, and in either
etymology, (Procop. de Bell. Gothic. l. iv. c. 11,) may
fairly signify this liquid bitumen.
Note: It is remarkable that the Syrian historian Michel
gives the name of naphtha to the newly-invented Greek fire,
which seems to indicate that this substance formed the base
of the destructive compound. St. Martin, tom. xi. p. 420. -
M.]