The lake, like others in this part of Asia, is several thousand feet above the sea level.

Its waters are heavily impregnated with salt, resembling those of the Dead Sea.

No fish can live in them.

When a storm sweeps over their surface it only raises the waves a few feet; and no sooner is it passed than they rapidly subside again into a deep, heavy, death-like sleep.

The lake is shallow, nowhere exceeding four fathoms, and averaging about two fathoms--a depth which, however, is rarely attained within two miles of the land.