INTRODUCTION. Xvil 
portion of these mountains, has justly observed, that ‘‘ whilst in South America there is 
but one peak, Chimborazo, which exceeds 20,000, and not more than five which are 
about 18,000, there are no fewer than twenty-eight peaks in the Himalayas which 
overtop Chimborazo, one of which is above 25,000 feet, forty-four which exceed the 
three next of the American elevations, and more than a hundred which tower above 
the next in height ; facts more satisfactory, as proofs of the superior elevation of these 
mountains, than the greater loftiness of an isolated summit.””* 
From the foregoing observations, the great length and enormous height of the Hima- 
layas are evident ; but to form a true estimate of these mountains, it is necessary also 
to take into consideration their breadth. This is supposed to be greatest in the 
vicinity of the lofty peaks near which the great rivers have their rise ; but as the whole 
extent has not yet been surveyed, this can only be considered as conjectural. Crossing 
from the plains of Hindoosthan to the snowy passes, the distance is not less than 80 
or 100 miles: the superficial extent of that portion comprised within the British terri- 
tories, is estimated by Captain Herbert at 23,000 square miles. In no part is there any 
thing like table-land to be found; but seen from the plains of Northern India, the 
Himalayas seem formed of a succession of parallel ranges, though nothing of this kind is 
apparent when we enter the mountains themselves; for in ascending any of the principal 
points, a number of arms are seen radiating in every direction, separating deep ravines, 
connecting the different mountains together, and throwing the waters of the several 
rivers in opposite directions: but notwithstanding this irregularity, the ridges generally 
run parallel to the direction of the mountain mass; for in proceeding transversely 
across it, we have constantly a series of ridges to ascend and descend, and narrow vallies 
to cross; In the bottom of these generally flow the rivulets collected by the various 
ravines from the surrounding peaks and ridges. At the foot of the Himalaya there is 
generally a longitudinal valley, but in the neighbourhood of the snowy passes, as the 
Messrs. Gerard have remarked, the glens are for the most part perpendicular to the range, 
or from N.N.E, and N.E. to S.S.W. and S.W. The face exposed to the N.W. is inva- 
riably rugged, and the opposite one, facing the S.E., shelving. The great rivers also 
may be observed making their way across the direction of the range; they may therefore 
be supposed to have taken advantage of natural breaks in the range, rather than to 
have been able to open a way for themselves through this great mountainous mass. 
The deficiency of level space the industry of the inhabitants has in a great 
measure supplied by cutting the slope of each mountain into a series of terraces, 
supported in front by dry stone walls, as is done in China. By this means, and from 
the diversity of climate, the agriculturist is enabled to cultivate rice near the beds of the 
rivers, 
* These remarks were made previous to our being informed that Mr. Pentland had measured some peaks"in 
the Andes, which were more elevated than Chimborazo; as the Cerro Nevada de Illimani 24,350, and the 
Cerro Nevada de Sorata 25,250 feet above the sea, both in the Eastern Cordillera of Bolivia: but as these are 
still only isolated summits, Captain Herbert's inferences apply with nearly equal force, particularly as a multi- 
tude of peaks, extending over several degrees of latitude and longitude, are not included in his estimate. - 
