594 THE ALTAI SYSTEM. 



number, and these trees, with andromeda (Pieris), form the great 

 mass of the forest from 6000 to 8000 feet. Species of the deciduous 

 trees of the temperate zone are gradually introduced as we rise, and 

 these again, with- the addition of other pines, prevail in the upper 

 regions of forest that is, from 8000 to 11, 5 00 feet." 



Glaciers abound in the loftier Himalayas. The lowest elevation 



THE HIMALAYAS MOUNT GAURISAXKAR 23.000 feett. 



to which they descend is about 11,500 feet above the level of 

 the sea. 



The Altai Mountains lie north of Mongolia, with an average 

 elevation of from 5000 to 7000 feet. Eternal snow crowns their 

 loftiest summit, Mount Bielukha, 11,063 feet. In Central Asia we 



