XVI. An analysis of the waters of the Dead Sea and the river Jordan

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Abstract
The Dead Sea, or Lake Asphaltite, is situated in the southern part of Syria, near Jerusalem, and occupies an extent of about 60 or 70 miles in length, and from 10 to 20 in breadth. This lake has been from time immemorial celebrated on account of the intense saltness of its waters, which is such as to prevent either animals or vegetables from living in it, a peculiarity from which it has derived its name. It appears that this saline quality has existed in the earliest ages; for independently of the frequent allusions made to it in the Scriptures, we find it described by several ancient authors, amongst others by Strabo, who wrote during the reign of Augustus, by Tacitus, and by Pliny. Amongst modern travellers, Pococke, Volney, and others, have noticed and described this singular spot. But although the most obvious peculiarities have for a long time been in some degree known, the only chemical analysis I have been able to find on record is that which was published In the “ Memoires de lʼ Academie des Sciences ” for the year 1778, by Messrs. Macquer, Lavoisier, and Sage. The names of Lavoisier, and of his two distinguished associates, might appear to render any further investigation of the nature of this water superfluous; but whoever has perused the paper in question, must be convinced, that these gentlemen, however correct in their general statements, neither attained that degree of accuracy of which modern analysis is susceptible, nor did they bestow on the subject that share of attention which is indispensable in minute analytical experiments.

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