Chemical Analysis of the [Jan, 



doubtless separated; aod the residuary syrup afforded regular 

 cr3''stais for spoottioeoys evaporation - Soim slight difference may 

 possibly exist between aoiaial and vegetable sugar, but one 

 depending on those minute differences in the proportion of 

 elements, or in their mode of combination ; which cannot be 

 appreciated till the analysis of the products of organized bodies 

 kas attained far greater refinement and accuracyj than belong W 

 it in its present state. 



Article V. 



Chemical Analysis of the U'afer of the Dead Sea, By Obe&. 

 Medicioai-Rath Klaproth.* 



The Asphalt lake, known by the name of the Dead Sea, 

 which covers the old ground that, according to Strabo's tale, in 

 consequence of an earthquake, accompanied by frequent erup- 

 tions of fire ; or, according to the words of the Bible, in con- 

 sequence of a rain of sulphur, buried the towns of Sodom and 

 Gomorrhaj is very remarkable on account of the considerable 

 proportion of salt which it contains. In this respect it surpasses 

 every other known water on the surface of the earth. This 

 great proportion of bitter tasted salts is the reason why neither 

 animal nor plant can live in this water : on which account the 

 name of Dead Sea is applied to it with justice. This great 

 proportion of salt gives to the water so great a specific gravity, 

 that it is capable of bearing weights that would sink in the 

 Ocean. Hence it happens that men, as Strabo long ago in- 

 formed us, cannot dive in the Dead Sea, but are forcibly sus- 

 pended ypon its surface. 



The Dead Sea is farther remarkable on account of the great 

 qoantity of asphalt swimming on its surface ; which having been 

 originally thrown op from its bottom in a melted state by the 

 agency of sopterraneous heat, and being again solidified by the 

 cold of the water, is at last collected on the margin of the lake^ 

 and forms an important article of traffic. 



(A) 



Ti^.'0 different sets of chemical experiment? have already 

 EBade us aeqimiiited with, the nature of the salts with which this 

 water is impregnated. 



The first of these is that of Macquer, Lavoisier, and Sage, 

 inserted io tlie Meaioirs of the Academy of Sciences for the 



* VviitsL ihs: iL<^i.>\iuvhu.h Ka.turfDrseh'ender Freaad zu Berlin Magazin, 1809, 



