DODONIAN, (Encycl.) The origin and occasion of this fable we have from Herodotus, who observes it was founded on this, that πυξας, which in the Thessalian language signifies a pigeon, does likewise signify a witch, or prophetess. But what is more extraordinary is, another tradition among the poets, as if the very oaks of the forest of Dodona spoke, and delivered oracles. This fable is easily deduced from the former; the pigeons in the oaks being supposed to speak, it was no great flight of poetical fancy, to introduce the trees themselves speaking, &c.
The fountain of Dodona was in the temple of Jupiter. The ancient naturalists assure us, it had a property of rekindling torches, &c. when newly extinguished. This, no doubt, it did, by means of some sulphureous fumes exhaling from it; as we still find a fountain in Dauphiné, called the burning fountain, do. It is also said to have extinguished lighted torches; which is no great miracle, since plunging them into a place where the sulphur was too dense, or into the water, must have that effect.