1822.] the Sources of the Rivers Ganges and Jumna.” 51 
this horrid place. The fracture of the rocks is so fresh, that I 
suspect this havoc must have been caused by the earthquake 
of the 26th; for we heard a great crash in this direction. 
Over snow for the most part. An enormously high and 
extensive snow bed in sight in front: it entirely conceals the 
river, but the stream is yet 20 feet wide. 
Snow all round, and above and below, except where it has 
melted just here on a convenient fiat between the river, and the 
feet of the mountains to the left. All beyond is an inclined bed 
of snow ; so we must halt here. Call it halting place near the. 
debouche of the Ganges. 
Proceeded forward to reconnoitre, and returned. 
Up the river, and along snow. Mount Moira 170°; pyramid 
peak, 200°. 
Return to ©, eight to halt for the sake of fire wood. 
This is an excellent and safe place; no peak can fall on us ; 
five companies, or even a battalion, might encamp here. Sublime 
beyond description is the appearance of the snowy peaks now so 
close tous. The Four Saints are at the head of the valley ofsnow, 
and a most magnificent peak, cased in snow and shining ice, 
stands like a giant to the right of the valley: this we named 
Mount Moira. The snow valley, which hides the river, appears 
of great extent ; to morrow will show what it is. 
We experienced considerable difficulty in breathing, and that 
peculiar sensation which is always felt at great elevations where 
there is any sort of herbage, though I never experienced the like 
on the naked snow beds, even when higher. Mountaineers, who 
know nothing of the thinness of the air, attribute the faintness 
to the exhalations from noxious plants, and | believe they are 
right, for a sickening effluvium was given out by them here, as 
well as on the heights under the snowy peaks, which I passed 
over last year above the Setlej ; though on the highest snow, the 
faintness was not complained of, but only an inability to go far 
without stopping to take breath. 
‘Barometer.—The tube heated, and then gradually filled with 
mercury halfan inch at a time, and the bubbles which were per- 
ceptible, driven out by gently beating against the places they 
were at. 
The mercury stood at. ............ 18-854 in. 
Detached thermometer............ 55° 
Attached ditto. ......... Oe eee Op 
Height of the place above the level of the sea 12°914 feet. 
Water boils at 1921°, which, according to Mr. Kirwan’s table, 
answers to a barometer of 19-5 inches. 
We are about 150 feet above the bed of the river. By day 
the sun is powerful, although we are so surrounded by snow ; 
but the peaks reflect the rays. When the sun sunk behind the 
mountains, it was very cold; at night it froze. High as we are, 
E 2 
