ILLUSTRATIONS (10). THE SNOW-LINE. 



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ments of the elevation of the inferior edge of snow on spins 

 of the Treslu and Nandadevi groups of peaks, made, before 

 the winter snow had begun, in November, 1848. 



The points 1, 2 and 3 are in ridges that run in a south- 

 westerly direction. The dip of the strata being to the north- 

 east, the faces exposed to view from the south are for the 

 most part very abrupt, and snow never accumulates on them 

 to any great extent. This in some measure will account for 

 the height to which the snow is seen to have receded on the 

 eastern exposures, that is, upwards of 17,000 feet. On the 

 western exposures the ground is less steep, and the snow is 

 seen to have been observed at a considerable less elevation; 

 but it was in very small quantities, and had probably fallen 

 lately, so that I am inclined to think that its height, viz., 

 about 15,000 feet, rather indicates the elevation below which 

 the light autumnal falls of snow were incapable of lying, than 

 that of the inferior edge of the perpetual snow. It is further 

 to be understood, that below this level of 15,000 feet the 

 mountains were absolutely without snow, excepting those 

 small isolated patches that are seen in ravines, or at the head 

 of glaciers, which, of course, do not affect such calculations 

 as these. On the whole, therefore, I consider that the height 

 of the snow-line on the more prominent points of the southern 

 edge of the belt may be fairly reckoned at 16,000 feet at the 

 very least. 



" The point No. 4 was selected as being in a much more 

 retired position than the others. It is situate not far from 

 the head of the Pindur river. It was quite free from snow at 

 15,300 feet, and I shall therefore consider 15,000 feet as the 



