Quantities of solids in solution estimated in parts per 100,000 parts of water.

The specific gravity of the water was determined by Chancourtois as 1.0188, and by Abich as 1.0189, both at 19° C. As Abich points out, the water of Lake Van is nearly identical in composition with that of some of the soda-lakes at the south-eastern foot of Ararat, in the Araxes plain. In some of these the chloride, in others the carbonate, and in others again the sulphate of sodium is the predominating constituent. Probably the composition of the waters of Lake Van vary somewhat in different parts of the lake; Abich’s sample was certainly less saline than those of the other analysts.

The following analyses of the extraordinarily saline waters of Lake Urmi are appended for contrast rather than for comparison with those of Lake Van.

Quantities of solids in solution estimated in parts per 100,000 parts of water.

The specific gravity in the two cases were determined as 1.175 and 1.113 respectively.

The remaining four analyses by Mr. Thorp were made from our small samples of water taken from fresh-water lakes.

Quantities estimated in parts per 100,000.

The water of Lake Bulama is slightly ferruginous and yet slightly alkaline. The unpleasant odour from the lake doubtless arose from the fermentation of much vegetable matter in suspension and solution; it could not be due to sulphur compounds, since there is an absence of sulphates, and the low proportion of chlorine indicates freedom from animal contamination.

Lake Nazik.—A soft water, with very little contamination.

Nimrud crater.—An accident to the sample of water from the large lake caused the loss of the iron, alumina, lime, and magnesia estimations. Some vegetable matter occurred in suspension.

The water of the warm lake is slightly alkaline, but the ratio of the potassium to the sodium could not be determined. It was rather turbid owing to fine fragments of vegetable matter. It is scarcely conceivable that it can possess healing properties.