Geography of the Himalayah Mountains. 23 



even if we allow nothing for that attachment which, even 

 among the mountaineers of these degraded regions, subsists 

 for the imposing scenes which have associated themselves with 

 their earliest impressions. 



While the attention of a liberal and enlightened government 

 is directed to the removal of the obstacles to prospei'ity and 

 happiness, which in these states have hitherto existed, it will 

 remain for those occupied in scientific pursuits, after acquir- 

 ing accurate information respecting the natural productions 

 and resources of the country — its varied climate, soil, agri- 

 culture, and capacities, to suggest whatsoever may appear to 

 them likely to promote internal improvement, among peo- 

 ple so situated, as indicated by the practices of more enlight- 

 ened states, inhabiting a country similar in physical circum- 

 stances; — to make known to them many of their own vegetable 

 productions, applicable to use in medicine, and in the arts 

 with which they themselves may be yet unacquainted ; — and 

 to effect an exchange of vegetable productions, mutually be- 

 neficial to both, between them and this country, which I 

 am persuaded will be ultimately done, as several successful 

 experiments have already been made. 



The evidence given, by the presence of allied genera and 

 species in our districts of the Himalayah, that we may ulti- 

 mately be able also to raise those which, in other parts of the 

 world, are usually found associated with them, and which 

 may contribute in the most essential manner to the internal 

 improvement of the country, is one of the most important 

 subjeots to which the attention of a naturalist in the Hima- 

 layah can be directed. 



In this comparatively small section of a country possessing 

 such extent of mountain surface, it is evident, that to acquire 

 a correct notion of its geological structure, a long, patient, 

 and laborious examination would be necessary, into the ex- 

 tent, elevation, superposition, and internal characters, evi- 

 dencing identity in the rocky masses, of which it is composed 

 in approaching the snowy ranges, and the ridges proceeding 

 from them at many places, and by different routes. 



In a country where the climate, the soil, and its produc- 

 tions, as well as the aspect or physiognomy of its different 

 belts of elevation, are constantly varying as we ascend ; where 



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