The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-15
THE SEA OF GALILEE.
Becoming Putrid, Like the Water That
Covers Sodom.

Becoming Putrid, Like the Water That
Covers Sodom.
Philadelphia Times.
VIII there be another sea of Sodom?
Lieut.. Lynch, of the United States navy.
has established the fact, previously not
Known with consummate accuracy, that
the depression Of the Dead sea (also
known as the Sea of Lot and in the Scrip
lures as the Salt seal is over 1900 feet be-
low the level Of the Mediterranean, while
that of Lake Genesaret is 500 feet lower
than the ocean. The measurements were
made twenty years ago, long period in
a semi-volcanic region. Lake Genesaret is
connected with the Dead sea by the Jor-
dan flowing through it from north 10 south.
and engineers anc scientists are satisfied
that the bed of the Jordan Is gradually
sinking. My observations OF the shores OF
Lake Genesaret and those of the inhabi-
tants of the neighboring towns and VII
lagos indicate that the lake Is continue
ously falling toward the bottom, while the
water is becoming denser from year TO
year. The salt strata in its neighborhood
are growing constantly, 1t seems, and sui
phur springs are becoming frequent on the
plains surrounding 1t. In the north and
east of the lake the palm trees, some Of
them alive. more of them dead and bar
rem. rise above the water at distance Of
from twenty 10 forty feet from shore.
That they should nave taken root in the
water is impossible. and the supposition is
that originally they stood on islands sub
merged with the sinking of the lakes bot
tom.
The catastrophe which resulted In the de-
struction OF the cities of Sodom and Co
morrah and in the formation of the Dead
Sea Is computed to have occurred about
1900 years before Christ. The Dead Sea has
puzzled scientists ever since. and many of
its remarkable features have now been ex-
planned. Its depression below the level OF
the Mediterranean is the deepest known on
earth. The bottom OF Lake Genesaret is
on a much higher level at present, but Il
Ii continues TO sink as il has done in the
last twenty years a repetition of the events
of 1900 years ago is not improbable. AS
the world has not been treated to a spec
tacle of terrestrial evolutions on a grand
scale within hundreds of years. the crea-
ton OF second Dead Sea within the COM
pass of ordinary travel would surely at
tract the attention of all civilized nations.
and at the same time help to solve many
problems of scientific nature.
Josephus. who was born in 81 B. C. re-
ports that the water of Genesaret was
clear as crystal. sweet and wholesome"
tried to drink Of 1t. but found 1t pufrid
and nauseating. II left salty taste in the
mouth. | asked he fishermen. plying their
trade on the lake as in Biblical days
whether the water was always unfit for
drinking purposes. and received answer
that II grew more and more foul every
year.
This seems to Indicate that the sur
misses as to the change OF conditions In
the lake are correct. The water of the
Dead Sea. as is well known. is entirely
unfit for use by man. The stencil arising
from il creates a pestiiential atmosphere
for many miles round. | have never been
able TO approach the lake in summer. but
the natives have informed me that about
this time OF the year the water. even
foot below tho surface. acquires a tempera-
ture OF 90 degrees. II has been observed
that past midnight the temperature OF the
water on the surface measured in the
neiEhhorhood Of Ion degrees. There Is.
however. one false impression in the pun
lie mind TO be corrected. The Dead Sea IS
not dead as 70 animal life. Hawks. part
ridges, frogs and Pigeons are numerous
upon its shores. and all sorts OF craving
insects abound there. the sluggish waters.
too, ara covered with iucks-in fact. the
fauna Is the same "a that inhahiting the
shores OF Lake Gsnesaret with this differ
ence. however. all specimens nf the animal
world about the Dead SEA- are slate col
ored. whiio those enlivening the shores ard
surface Of Lake Geaesaret wear their CT
binary plumaEe and scaly dress respective
~.
The Lake Censsarat. also called the Sea
Of Tfberias o. Galilee. is situated sixty
flve miles north ~ the Dead Sea Its ex-
treYne length Is fifteen miles. its greatest
width six and ihree-quarter miles The
water Is very deep. even at The shores In
some spots SIS depth measures 10 feet. IN
others ia and more In the northeast and
northwest the shores are fiat and swarnssy:
she mountains OF Ssfed approach the lake
in the north. in the vest we have the nils
81 El-Eama and Eatin- The VOLCANIC
plateau OF Jaulan commences in the east
IL Is distinguished from any cead craf>Fs.
It's greatest height IS called Hermon. ana
II wears an eternal snow cap Palms ihat
bring forth no frsiting. rapyris plants
ara oIsardsr flourish Ia the reiEnoorHSS d
OF the SHORE The stones al the edge CT
the water are liiersliy covered WITH turtles
some OF which grow over FOOT ana
half long Ducks ara plenti1al IN some
parts. N others the pelican holds i0rih IN
large numbers.
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