1866.] Lableau of High Asia. 65 
where ample tracts exist extremely favourable for erecting such estab- 
lishments even on a large scale. 
The pasture-grounds of Z%bet, to which the numerous herds of sheep 
are driven in summer, reach an elevation from 15,000 to 16,349 ft., 
beyond which the Tibetan shepherds, who sometimes remain upon the 
mountains from June to September, cannot be supposed to make any 
permanent residence. The most elevated pasture-grounds of Tibet 
are, Larsa (16,349 {t.), Zinchin (16,222 it.), Kydngchu (15,781 it.), 
Rukchin (15,064 ft.), Amlung (15,300 ft.), and Jugta (15,058 ft.) 
Though many cloudless days succeed each other in these lofty 
regions, thus leaving the power of direct insolation unimpaired, the 
climate always remains bleak; while the prevailing winds not only 
aggravate the effects of a low temperature, but also that of a low baro- 
metrical pressure, thus presenting a remarkable modification of cli- 
mate, of which I shall hereafter give some detail in the considerations 
upon the influence of height in general. The shepherds with difficul- 
ty provide themselves with a sufficient supply of fuel for cooking pur- 
poses; sometimes they contrive with much labour and pains to erect 
rude stone walls, behind which they may take shelter during the 
night. These walls are usually circular in form, from four to five 
feet high, and without a roof. 
In the Kiinliin, the slopes on its southern side are so elevated, that 
there exist no pasture-grounds at all; on its. northern slopes, they do 
not occur above 15,000 ft. 
For the Andes no data with reference to pasture-grounds are at my 
disposal, 
The pasture-grounds in the Alps, which are generally in the neigh- 
bourhood of Chalets, may be met with at heights of 8,000 ft. and 
upwards : the Fluhalpe (8.468 ft ) on the Findelen glacier near the 
Monte Rosa, and the Torrenthttle, in the Anniviers valley, being 
instances of the greatest elevations. 
VY. ExtREME HEIGUTS VISITED BY MAN. 
1. Mountain-ascents. 
Temporary habitations, frequented for some months, as we have 
seen from the discussion of the highest pasture-grounds, sometimes 
reach a height of nearly 16,300 ft. As far as my experience goes, I 
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