Note 16 — PART I.
Reading edition
The word “freshness” is used comparatively, as the amount of salt is sufficient to make the water unpalatable or unfit for drinking, except near the feeder canals. It is, however, quite good enough for most culinary purposes, and camels will usually drink from it, although it is not advisable to water the latter from the lake either before or after a fatiguing desert march, as in such cases the salinity of the water may have bad effects.