1822.] the Sources of the Rivers Ganges and Jumna.” 4} 
as more properly called, the Jahnevi. The strange and terrific 
appearance of this place (Bhairog’hati) exceeds the idea I had 
formed of it. No where in my travels in these rude mountains 
have I seen any thing to be compared with this, in horror and 
extravagance. Precipices composed of the most solid granite 
confine both rivers in narrow channels, and these seem to have 
been scooped out by the force of the waters. Near the Sanga, 
the Bhagirat’hi has in some places scolloped out the rock which 
overhangs it. The base of these peaks is of the most compact sort 
of granite; it is of a light hue, with small pieces of black sparry 
substance intermixed. From the smoothness of the rocks which 
confine the stream, and which appear to be worn so by water, I 
think the stream must have formerly flowed on a higher level, 
and that it is gradually scooping its channel deeper ; for it does 
not appear that the walls which confine the rivers are masses 
fallen from above, but that they are the bases of the peaks 
themselves. Enormous blocks have indeed fallen, and han 
over our heads in threatening confusion ; some appear 200 feet 
in diameter, and here are we sitting among these ruins by the 
fire side at noon. Thermometer 52°. What are these pinnacles 
of rock, 2000 or 3000 feet high, which are above us, like? I 
know not. To compare small with great, I think the aptest idea 
I can form of any thing that might be like them, would be the 
appearance that the ruins of a Gothic cathedral might have, to a 
Spectator within them, supposing that thunderbolts or earth- 
quakes had rifted its lofty and massy towers, spires, and but- 
tresses ; the parts left standing might then in miniature give an 
idea of the rocks of Bhairog’hati. 
The great cedar pines, those gigantic sons of the snow, 
fringe these bare rocks, and fix their roots where there appears 
to be very little soil ; a few also of the larger deal pine are seen, 
but inferior trees do not aspire to grow here. The day is dull 
and rainy, and I cast my eyes up at the precipice overhead, not 
without awe ; a single fragment might dash us to pieces. 
Avalanches of snow and rock such as we have passed to day, 
and indeed for these three last days, show by their effects their 
vast powers of destruction; for they bring down forests in their 
overwhelming course, and dash the cedars into splinters. These 
avalanches have ail fallen this season ; they have in some places 
filled up the dells and water courses to a great depth with snow, 
and extend from the peaks to the margin of the river. 
A painter wishing to represent a scene of the harshest features 
of nature, should take his station under the sanga of Bhairog’hati, 
or at the confluence of the Bhagirat’hi and Jahnevi rivers : here 
it is proper to take some notice of this latter river hitherto little 
known. Though the Bhagirat’hi is esteemed the holy and cele- 
brated Ganges, yet the Jahnevi is accounted to be, and I think is, 
the larger stream. From a Brahman who officiates at Gangotri, 
and who has been up it, I collected some particulars, which, 
