CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 



The lake Tuscuco, lie tells us, formerly extended fifteeai or se- 

 venteen miles from east to west, and something more from north to 

 south, but its present extent is much less, the Spaniards having 

 diverted into new channels many of the rivers which formerly ran 

 into it. The same writer says, that all the water which assembles 

 there is at first sweet, and becomes afterward salt from the nitrous 

 quality of the bed of the lake. 



On this lake, and in the city which it encompasses, Cortes and 

 his Spaniards maintained that cruel war against the Mexicans which 

 commenced in the latter end of 1519, and was continued for eight 

 years. Here the gallant Emperor Gtiatimozin was taken, when 

 endeavouring to escape in a boat, under a disguise, intending, as 

 the last effort, to raise a force in the neighbouring provinces* Into 

 this lake, it has been supposed, a considerable part of the wealth 

 contained in the city, when in the height of its splendor, was preu 

 cipitated, to prevent its becoming the spoil of their cruel con- 

 querors, when the Mexicans were no longer able to maintain the 

 unequal contest. 



Of the southern part of the continent of AMERICA, the principal 

 lake we meet with is MAYACAYBO, in Terra Firma. It commu- 

 nicates with the gulf of Veuuzuela, by a strait, on the western 

 coast of which the city of Mayacaybo is situated. This lake is said 

 to be eighty leagues in circumference, and contributes equaJly to 

 the 'beauty and convenience of the province of Venezuela, with 

 which it is encompassed. The water is used as a drink, though 

 brackish and unwholesome. The gulph of this lake which termi- 

 nates in the Caribbean Sea, extends about an hundred and ten 

 miles from south to north. 



[Keysler, Addison, Coxc, Moore^ Spalanzani^ Swimurne 9 

 C as our, ClecigcrO) S^an^ Payne. 



3. Particular Lakes ; or such as are entitled to a more minute 



Description. 



Lake Asphaltites. 



THIS is more usually known by the name of the Dead Sea, 

 It lies in Palestine, and is about fifty miles long, and twelve or thir. 

 teen broad. It is surrounded by lofty mountains, and the river 

 Ionian flows iuto it. It covers the old ground, that according to 



