HEIGHT OF THE SNOW-LINE. 173 



l*btiide. Height of the Snow-line. 



Feet. 

 270 12,145 



28 11,930 



29 11,T10 



30 11,484 



31 11,253 



32 11,018 



33 10,778 



34 10,534 



35 10,287 



The following fact.s show, not only the difference between 

 the line of theory and that of actual observation, but also 

 that the snow-line is higiier on the northern than the south- 

 ern side of the Hiniiaalehs : — 



7. General Great Height of the Srioic-line on the Himmalchs, 

 — The village and temple of Milem were found by Captain 

 Webb at the respective elevations of 11,405 and 11,682 feet 

 above Calcutta ; extensive fields of buckwheat and Tartaric 

 barlej' occupying the space between the two. A year after 

 these observations were made, viz. on the 21st June, 1818, 

 Captain Webb proceeded southward from Joshi-mat-h, and 

 from the Dauli river observed barometrically the altitude of 

 a station on the ridge of mountains to the south. He found 

 it to be 11,680 feet above the level of Calcutta; yet the 

 place was surrounded by flourishing woods of oak, long- 

 leaved pine, and arborescent rhododendrons, and the whole 

 surface covered with a rich vegetation as high as the knee, 

 extensive beds of strawberries in full flower, and plenty of 

 currant-bushes in blossom all around, in clear spots of rich 

 black mould. On the following day, Captain Webb reached 

 the summit of the pass Pilgointi Churhai, and found it.s 

 elevation to be 12,642 feet above the same level, or more 

 than 12,700 feet above the sea. A dense fog confined the 

 prospect ; but no snow was to be seen contiguous to the 

 spot. The surface exhibited a black soil, unless where the 

 bare rock appeared, covered with strawberry plant.?, butter- 

 cups, dandelions, and a profusion of other flowers. The 

 goatherds of tiie country are accustomed to lead their flocks 

 to pasture during July and August upon a yet loftier ridge, 

 estimated to be as much above the pass of Pilgointi as thi.s 

 was above the preceding day's encampment, — that is, nearly 

 1000 feet ; and which therefore removes the snow-line to a 

 etill higher elevation. 



P2 , 



