aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

344 AEOUND THE WORLD.
as utterly extinct volcanoes in different countries, I discover
no satisfactory evidences that the Dead Sea was once the
crater of an extinct volcano : rather should I consider it
originally a fresh-water lake. But, reflecting upon the millions
of years that have rolled into the abysmal past since
the beginning of earth's mighty geological upheavings, who
dare define conditions, or fix bounds to ancient rivers, seas
or oceans ? Immutable law governs all things. Explorers,
as well as roaming Arabs, tell us that along the southern
extremity of the Dead Sea are several bubbling hot springs.
Notwithstanding the nasal music, the multitude of fleas,
and the doleful shriek of night-birds, we slept comfortably
well , in our tottering tent, guarded by sheiks and their
heavily-armed attendants.
Tuesday morning, Aug. 26, four o'clock found us approaching
the Dead Sea upon the north, near the entrance of
the Jordan. It was yet starlight. Never did the stars
appear so brilliant. We felt the presence of spirits. It is
cool and comfortable traveling at this hour, even in halftropical
Palestine. Riding our jaded horses to another
frowning summit, we caught a full view of tliis memorable
sea. Its crystal waves, lying tremulously at our feet, were
bathed in the sun, now rising gorgeously over the brown
hills of Moab. The Dead Sea, resembling externally a beautiful
American lake, is some seventy miles in length, and
from three to twenty in width.
Its waters presenting a silvery,
transparent appearance, are a little bitter, and salt even
beyond the ocean. They act something like alum in the
mouth, and cayenne in the eye. Birds sail over its blue
depths ;
while rank shrubbery, graceful reeds, and flowering
plants, grow down to the very sands upon the brink. If
there are no abrasions upon the skin, bathing in the Dead
Sea is exquisitely delicious. Owing to its great specific
gravity, twelve hundred, — distilled
water being one thousand,
— effort to remain upon the surface is needless, sinking
impossible. Coming out from our swimming excursion