1848.] ITS PROPERTIES. 501 



lies readily throw down a magnesian precipitate. Solutions 

 of barytes produce a cloud, showing the existence of sulphuric 

 acid. No alumine can be discovered in the water by the 

 delicate test of succinic acid combined with ammonia. A 

 small quantity of pulverized sea salt being added to a few 

 drops of the water, cold and undiluted, the salt was readily 

 dissolved with the assistance of gent'e trituration, showing 

 that the Dead Sea is not saturated with common salt."* As 

 the result of his analysis, Dr. Marcet ascertained that the 

 proportions of the following substances contained in one 

 hundred grains of the water, were : — 



Grains. 



Muriate of Lime 3.920 



Muriate of Magnesia ------- 10.246 



Muriate of Soda 10.360 



Sulphate of Lime -------- 0.054 



24.5S0 

 Similar results have subsequently been obtained by other 

 scientific men who have examined and analyzed the water. 



Its density, too, is greater than the water of the Atlantic. 

 It was ascertained by Lieutenant Lynch, distilled water 

 being regarded as 1, that that of the Atlantic was 1.02, and 

 that of the Dead Sea 1.13. The boats of the Expedition 

 drew one inch less water on the sea than upon the Jordan, 

 and when they encountered the waves they seemed to strike 

 against them with a dull heavy plash like molten lead. Such 

 is the buoyancy of the water that it is difficult for a bather 

 to dive, or to keep his feet down ; and if he lies upon his 

 back, and draws his knees up and places his hands on them, 

 he can roll over with scarce any exertion. It was once said 

 that nothing could sink in the bottom of this sea, but this, 

 of course, is wholly fabulous. 



To the touch the water seems greasy, and causes the hands 

 and face to smart with a sort of prickly sensation. It is 

 inodorous, except in the vicinity of the sulphurous thermal 

 springs that abound along the shores ; but it is always exces- 



* 



Philosophical Transactions, 1807. 



