CLniATE OF HIMALAYA. 247 



chains, starting from the more elevated portions of the central 

 axis between the passes, gradually diminish in elevation as they 

 approach the plains of India, not however with any exact uni- 

 formity of progression, for it is not unfrequent to find them rise 

 into lofty peaks considerably more elevated than any known part 

 of the central axis. The greater part of the giant peaks, which 

 rise to an elevation of 26,000 or 28,000 feet, are situated in this 

 manner, not on the central axis, but to the south of it ; it is 

 however by no means improbable that masses of equal elevation 

 not yet measured or observed may occur behind them, it being 

 unquestionable that the general elevation of the country conti- 

 nues to increase as we advance to the north, and that we have 

 not yet (except in one place) attained to any point from which a 

 descent is commenced towards the northern plains. 



The direction of the principal lateral chains and of their 

 included valleys, is on the whole perpendicular to the main axis, 

 but with an inclination from the centre ; those on the extreme 

 east inclining to the eastward, while those on the extreme west 

 have a very westerly direction. There are certain anomalies in 

 the courses of the rivers, particularly at the north-west extremity 

 of the chain ; which, however, may be overlooked in a view so 

 general and cursory of these rivers as must necessarily be taken 

 on the present occasion. The most marked of these peculiarities 

 may be observed in the course of the Sutlej, which runs for a 

 very considerable part of its course nearly parallel to the Indus 

 before it turns toward the plains, thus separating the western part 

 of the Himalayan chain almost from its very origin into two 

 branches, one of which separates the Sutlej from the Indus ; the 

 other to the south of, and nearly parallel to, the other, divides the 

 basin of the Sutlej from that of the Jumna and Ganges. 



From the great depth of the valleys which separate tlie differ- 

 ent mountain cliains, it but seldom happens that any road crosses 

 from one valley to another, a traveller has therefore, in general, 

 excellent opportunities of studying the direction and ramifications 

 of the difterent chains, eitlier in following the course of the 

 valleys, or by travelling along the top of the ridges. In both 

 cases lie will find that his course is an undulating one, each chain 

 and each branch of a chain being a curve, which bends first to 

 one side and afterwards to the other, giving off generally a spur 

 on the convex side, while the head of a valley insinuates itself 

 into the concavity. 



After these few words on the physical structure of the moun- 

 tains, the vegetation of which it is my Avish briefly to describe, it 

 will still be necessary to devote a few minutes to the subject of 

 climate and humidity, before I can proceed to my proper 

 subject. 



