OF SEVERAL PARTS OF WESTERN ASIA. 



363 



been formed in the limestone. Yellowish crystallized carbonate 

 of lime appears to be common in Lebanon, having the columnar 

 structure exhibited by Nos. 64 to 68. Near Aleppo, according to 

 Mr. Thomson, are large beds of gypsum ; and from this are ob- 

 tained fine plates of selenite, such as No. 59. 



I have not yet mentioned a remarkable variety of limestone, 

 found on the west shore of the Dead Sea. It is nearry black, 

 perfectly homogeneous and compact, and contains a large pro- 

 portion of bitumen, (Nos. 77 and 145.) On this account, it ad- 

 mits easily of a polish, and is employed at Jerusalem for the 

 manufacture of rosaries and other small articles. I found its 

 composition, in one hundred parts, to be. 



Bitumen, 25.00 



Carbonate of lime, • 68. 7o 



Carbonate of magnesia, • 0-27 



Earthy residuum, 6.00 



100.00 



From this analysis I draw two inferences. The first is, that 

 if this rock can be obtained in abundance, it may prove valuable 

 in the formation of a cement for pavements, and other purposes ; 

 having in fact a very similar composition to the artificial com- 

 pound employed in that manner. The only difficulty seems to 

 be in getting rid of the carbonic acid, as sufficient heat cannot be 

 applied without destroying the bitumen. I have, however, no 

 suggestion to make on the subject. My second inference is, that 

 this fimestone ought to be regarded as a mineral species, distinct 

 from carbonate of lime. All the bituminous carbonate of lime 

 hitherto described, except that from Dalmatia, which is probably 

 the same as that from the Dead Sea, contains so litffe bitumen, 

 that it has been supposed an unessential ingredient; but in this 

 case, it forms a quarter part of the stone, and there can hardly be 

 a doubt but it exists in the compound in a definite quantity. 

 Yet, as the combining proportion of asphaltum does not seem to 

 be ascertained, we cannot test the composition by this rule. I 

 venture to propose it, however, as a distinct species in mineral- 

 ogy. In what quantity it exists at the Dead Sea, I cannot learn. 



