xvili INTRODUCTION. 
rivers, where the broadest levels are naturally found, and wheat and barley on the 
different elevated terraces of the mountain sides. 
Notwithstanding this general want of vallies, those of Nepal, p. 28, and of Cashmere, 
p- 27, form striking exceptions. Smaller ones, as of Noakote to the northward of Nepal, 
and Rama Serai on the 8. E. of Kedarkanta, may be mentioned, besides the longitudinal 
vallies at the plainward base of these mountains, which will be more fully treated of, 
with their geological structure. From the numerous transverse breaks by which the 
great rivers make their way to the plains, and towards which are inclined the various 
slopes and ravines which collect the streamlets from all the neighbouring mountains, 
few situations occur favourable for the formation of lakes ; many therefore are not met 
with; that of Cashmere, commonly called Dul, is best known: one called Bheemtal, 
of considerable depth, occurs on the road from Bhamouree to Almora, of which the 
length is about one mile, and the breadth about five furlongs, with an elevation above 
-the sea of 4,271 feet. To the northward of Nahn there is another called Ruenka tulao, 
which is also about a mile in length, and a gun-shot across. It is remarkable for con- 
‘taining crocodiles. : 
The river-beds, besides giving exit to the drainage of the mountains, and affording 
‘spaces for cultivation, serve also as entrances for penetrating into the Himalaya, and 
reaching the passes (v. p.32) by which travellers are enabled to cross from one face of these 
‘mountains to the other. The first notice we have of any of these being crossed by an 
European, is that of the Jesuit Antonio d’Andrada, who set out in 1624 from Agra to 
Serinuggur, and thence proceeded to Budrinath, whence with great difficulty he crossed 
into Tibet. More recently the Neetee Pass‘was crossed by Messrs. Moorcroft and 
Hearsay ; the Shatool, in 1816, by Colonel Hodgson; the Gonas Pass, in 1819, by 
Captain Herbert; and the first, as well as the Byans, and other passes measured by 
Captain Webb, in 1816. Among the other adventurous travellers, the Messrs. Gerard 
require particular mention as second to none in energy and enterprize. Besides the 
Paralassa 16,500, and the Rhotung Pass 13,000, below which the Acesines and Hy- 
phasis have their rise, and which were traversed by Dr. Gerard, little is known of the 
passes, except in the surveyed portion of the Himalayan Mountains. To the westward 
of Shatool Captain Gerard enumerates three passes, Julsoo, Khealig, and Soongree ; but 
these are from 2,000 to 4,000 feet below the line of congelation. From Shatool to 
Budrinath no less than fifteen passes are enumerated by the same officer. These are 
‘generally from eighteen to twenty-four miles in length, forming shout three stages for 
loaded people and two for those who are not so. 
‘3 Shatool... 15,555 Rol to Atharabees, 14, 5. Neebrung 16,035 
miles without fuel, open | 6. Gonas ... 1.05} From Choora to Sungla. 
: from June toNovember. | 7. Ghasool 15,851 
2. Soondroo 16,000 Tangno to Rasgranee. _ 8. Roopin... 15,480 Doodrookoom to Sungla, 
3. Yooso ... 15,877 Joonglee to ditto. an easy pass. 
4. Broang... 15,171 Jungleeg to ditto, seven | 9, Nulgaon 14,591 Ditto to ditto. 
0 
miles without fuel, open | 10. Charung...17,348 Chitkool to Cheerung. 
seven or eight months. 
ll. Bunga 
