324 Dr 11. J. Graves oti the 



the celebrated geologist, in support of this opinion, which 

 must, however, have been founded on insufficient data, for 

 Lynch's narrative contains numerous proofs directly contra- 

 dicting it. Thus, at p. 280, he says — 



" The distance in a direct line to the Arabian shore measured 

 seven nautical miles. Mr Aulick found on the latter a volcanic for- 

 mation, and brought specimens of lava.^^ 



Again, at p. 371, Lynch says — 



*' Stopped to examine some huge black boulders upon the shore, 

 which proved to be trap interspersed with tufa. The whole moun- 

 tain, from base to summit, appeared to he one black mass of scorice 

 and lava, the superposition of the layers giving them a singular 

 appearance. In the rocky hollows of the shore were incrustations 

 of salt, of which, as well as the lava, we obtained specimens."" 



And at page 275 — 



" But the scene was one of unmixed desolation. The air, 

 tainted with the sulphuretted hydrogen of the stream, gave a tawny 

 hue even to the foliage of the cane, which is elsewhere of so light a 

 green. Except the cane-brakes clustering along the marshy stream, 

 which disfigured while it sustained them, there was no vegetation 

 whatever ; barren mountains, fragments of rocks blackened by sul- 

 phureous deposit, and an unnatural sea, with low, dead trees upon 

 its margin, all within the scope of vision, bore a sad and sombre 

 aspect." 



The preceding quotations seem to prove that Von Buck 

 was in error in stating* that " this sea has no appearance of 

 volcanic origin. It merely occupies part of the great valley 

 or crevasse that runs from the Lebanon almost to the Gulf 

 of Akabah." 



Mr Warburton, misled by the authority of Von Buch, ob- 

 serves upon this point : — " The absence of volcanic agency 

 renders still more remarkable the appearance of some fierce, 

 fiery ordeal, through which it must have passed," &c. &c. 



Having, in common with the numerous readers of the 

 Crescent and the Cross, derived much pleasure and instruc- 

 tion from Mr Warburton's learning and accurate observa- 

 tion, I cannot but regret that he has, with reference to the 

 Dead Sea, deviated from his usual practice, and allowed his 



* Von Buch's Letter to Dr liobinson. 



