from whence the
place was named. And this is certain from another tradition, which there
prevailed: for it is said that in antient times there was an eruption of
sea water in the temple: [117][Greek: Thalasses de anaphainesthai kuma en
toi Hieroi toutoi logos estin archaios.] Nor was this appellation confined
to one particular sort of fountain, or water: but all waters, that had any
uncommon property, were in like manner sacred to Elees, or Eesel. It was an
antient title of Mithras and Osiris in the east, the same as [118]Sol, the
Sun. From hence the priests of the Sun were called Soli and Solimi in
Cilicia, Selli in Epirus, Salii at Rome, all originally priests of fire. As
such they are described by Virgil:

Tum Salii ad cantus incensa altaria circum.

In like manner the Silaceni of the Babylonians were worshippers of the same
Deity, and given to the rites of fire, which accompanied the worship of the
Sun.

The chief city of Silacena was Sile or Sele, where were eruptions of fire.
Sele is the place or city of the Sun. Whenever therefore Sal, or Sel, or
the same reversed, occur in the composition of any place's name, we may be
pretty certain that the place is remarkable either for its rites or
situation, and attended with some of the circumstances
[119]above-mentioned. Many instances may be produced of those denominated
from the quality of their waters. In the river [120]Silarus of Italy every
thing became petrified. The river [121]Silias in India would suffer nothing
to swim. The waters of the [122]Salassi in the Alps were of great use in
refining gold. The fountain at [123]Selinus in Sicily was of a bitter
saline taste. Of the salt lake near [124]Selinousia in Ionia I have spoken.
The fountain Siloe at Jerusalem was in some degree [125]salt. Ovid mentions
Sulmo, where he was born, as noted for its [126]cool waters: for cold
streams were equally sacred to the Sun as those, which were of a contrary
nature. The fine waters at AEnon, where John baptized, were called
[127]Salim. The river Ales near Colophon ran through the grove of Apollo,
and was esteemed the coldest stream in Ionia. [128][Greek: Ales potamos
psuchrotatos ton en Ioniai.] In the country of the Alazonians was a bitter
fountain, which ran into the [129]Hypanis. These terms were sometimes
combined with the name of Ham; and expressed Hameles, and Hamelas;
contracted to Meles and Melas. A river of this name watered the region of
Pamphylia, and was noted fo