INTRODUCTION, XX 
feet. The Messrs. Gerard, in crossing the Keubrung Pass, which is reckoned the boun- 
dary between Kunawur and that part of Chinese Tartary which is under the authority of 
the Grand Lama of Lahasa, descended on the more western parts of this elevated land, 
and found Zamsiri 16,500 feet above the sea; but they saw only gently sloping hills 
and tranquil rivulets. Zinchin, the furthest point they reached, is 16,136 feet, and the 
eminences in the vicinity rise many hundred feet higher. In every direction horses 
were seen galloping about, and feeding on the very tops of the heights. This elevated 
plain is described as being of a gravelly nature, intersected by deep and broad ravines. 
Though the rivers on the southern face of the Himalaya, Mr. Moorcroft observes, are 
narrow and steep, those on the northern face have broad flat channels, the water draining 
into them more slowly from the table-land, and the more gradual and gentle slope of 
the hills. Looking to the south, the Himalayas were seen marked with snow in stripes ; 
on the north the snow lay in distinct masses on the Cailas mountains, the bases of which 
descend by easy slopes and diminishing swells. Further to the N.W., and beyond the 
hilly tracts of Kunawur and Kooloo, Dr. Gerard pitched his tent on the table-land of 
Tartary, nearly at 16,000 feet of elevation, where the Indus, at the distance of only three 
days’ march, intervened between him and Ludak. The appearances here are similar to 
those described by Mr. Moorcroft and by Captain Turner. Everywhere along the whole 
tract we have extensive plains, having on them moderate sized hilis and gently flowing 
streams ; a dry, cold, and clear atmosphere, little snow in comparison, arid-looking vege » 
tation, and numerous flocks of cattle. This table-land is not continuous, but interrupted 
by transverse ridges, which join the Indian to the Cailas or Tibetan range of the Hima- 
layas. : 
Of these ranges, one locks in the lakes Manasarowur and Rawan-hrad, as well as 
the sources of the Sutlej and Indus on the N.W.; and on the 8.E. gives origin to the 
Sampoo or Burhampooter. This, flowing parallel to the Himalayan chain and on its 
northern face, over the lofty table-land of Tibet, breaks through another transverse range 
before it descends by numerous rapids to the plains of Assam, where it is at first known 
by the name of the Dihong, but joined by numerous tributaries, it assumes that of 
Brahmputer or Burhampooter, which it relinquishes in the plains of. Bengal for that 
of the Megne, where uniting with the Ganges, near the sources of which it had arisen ; 
their united streams flow into the ocean, in the midst of the numerous islands which 
themselves have formed. The Indus and Sutlej originating on the northern face of the 
great chain, which on its southern aspect gives rise to the Ganges and its feeders, flow 
first in a north-westerly direction; the former over the high land of Little Tibet, until 
north of Cashmere, in 35° of latitude it breaks transversely through the mighty mass 
of Himalayan Mountains. Here, passing Attock, and forming the N.W. boundary of 
Hindoostan, it enters the sea by thirteen mouths, and is navigable for 1,000 miles for 
vessels not requiring more than twelve feet of water. The Sutlej, supposed to take its 
rise from Lake Rawan-hrad, flows at first parallel to the Indus, but then, encountering 
the transverse mountainous mass interposed between Great and Little Tibet, and 
d extending 
