3JADKAS JOURNAL 
OF 
LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. 
NO. 1.-NEAV SERIES. 
* 
October — December^ 1856. 
I. Description and pian of the Natron Lake of Loonar, with 
an analysis of the Salt. By George Smith, m. d., Resi- 
dency Surgeon, Hyderabad. 
[The following interesting description of the Loonar Lake of Berar was com- 
municated by Dr. Smith to the Committee for the Madras Exhibition for 18-57, 
and placed by them at the disposal of the Madras Literary Society, for iosertion 
in their Jouroal.] 
In the Circar of Meinker Soubah of Berar, about 45 miles 
Description of the Lake N. W. of Hingolie in Lat. 20° N,, lies the 
of Loonar. curious Natron Lake of Loonar. It is situat- 
ed at the bottom of a crateriform depression, which forms a sin- 
gular and unexpected interruption to the general gentle undula- 
tory character of the district. The Lake is 510 feet below the 
level of the surrounding ground* — has a rounded outline and is 
about 3 miles in circumference. The sharp edge of the great ex- 
cavation is about 5 miles round and the inner surface of the bowl 
rises abruptly at an angle of from 75° to 80°. The surface of this 
sharp slope is covered with luxuriant vegetation, in the shape of 
treesf and thick, vigorous underwood, tenanted by the tiger, hog, 
panther, deer and peacock. Between the sloping bottom of the 
* As calculated in January last by the aneroid, which during the descent fr^m 
ihe brim of the crater to the level of the lake rose 6-lOths of an inch, nearly 510 
feet. 
t For list— Yide Appendix No. 4 extracted from Surgeon Bradley's Memoir. 
