ASIATIC LAKES. 
- - -- , 
Mayacaybo is the only one deserving a pa''''*-’ '1' ' 
It communicates with the gulf of Venezuela, 
on the western coast of which the city of 
situated. This lake is eighty leagues in circunil^";* * 
contributes equally to the beauty and conveuiuni-' 
province of Venezuela, witli which it is ‘•'‘''^/’jiril’% 
The gulf of this lake, which terminates in lli*^ 
sea, extends about a hundred and ten miles 
north. 
ASIATIC LAKES. 
LAKE ASPHALTITES. 
- il"' 
nan“'^. ,, , 
Tmts Lake is more usually known by the >'•' 
Dead Ska. It lies in Palestine, apd is about 
in length, and twelve or thirteen in breadth. jj;*- 
. - . vf.*r |ij(^ 
rounded by lofty mountains, and receivc.s the P ^ 
It covers the ground on which stood the citiu* 
and Gomorrali, buried, according to Strabo’s hjil'y 
an ear thquake, accompanied by frequent 
or, according to the scripiuns! expres.sion, 
sulphur. This lake is rendered remar kable by 
quantity of the bituminous aixl inflammable 
called Asphaltos, floating on its surface. This ' j siL 
having been tlirown up from its bottom in a ^ 
by the agency of subterraneous heat, and ha'i‘'j> 
solid by the coldness of the water, is colleeb^“ ^ 
margin of the lake. 
Doctor Clarke, in his recent travels, b^s tO ^ 
superstitious prejudices so long entertained 
Dead Sea, of which he gives the followini ^ 
description. 
“ The Dead Sea below, upon our ^ ^ 
near to us, drat we thought we could ride 
short space of time. Still nearer stood a j 
Its western shore, resembling, in its form, 
suvius, and having also acrater upon its top, 
discernible. The distance, however, is mupb % 
IS appears to be ; tlie magnitude of the nbjects^^^ia ^ 
this fine prospect, causing them to appear D** 
. 
