1842.] of the Himmalay a Mountains, xiii 



lakes; and some [we presume] are lost in the sands of the Great Desert. 

 But to obtain any thing like detail, on these and many other points, is 

 in the present obscurity of the subject impossible. Of its geological 

 structure, we have not an idea that is not purely hypothetical. 6 And 

 yet, it may be averred, that the geology of Asia can never be rendered 

 fully intelligible, or even the science itself be placed on a firm basis, 

 till the whole of this tract be fully explored, and the rich mine of 

 illustrations, which it doubtless contains, be fully laid open. 



10. Considered in its various relations to Asia, I might even say to the 

 Old World, it is undoubtedly the most interesting spot on the surface 

 of the globe, and it is certain that the traveller who shall first succeed in 

 developing these relations in all their bearings, will establish for himself 

 no inconsiderable name. Unfortunately for science, this task is not 

 likely to be soon effected. The jealousy of the Chinese government, to 

 which the greater part of it belongs, opposing insurmountable obstacles 

 to the progress of investigation and discovery. 7 



Section II. 



11. It appears [certain thai] this central area — whether we call it a 

 plateau, a basin, or series of basins — is surrounded on all sides by a broad 

 zone of mountain land in which originate the great rivers of Asia. The 

 [tract] of which I am now to give a description, and which comprises all 

 the British possessions within the mountains, forms but an inconsider- 

 able portion either in length or breadth of this great Alpine belt. In 

 interest of description, however, it does not yield to any part of it. For 

 within its boundaries rise some of the most remarkable peaks of the 

 Himmalaya summits, not more celebrated in the annals of supersti- 

 tion than in those of science, and from its area spring the sources which 

 unite to form the Ganges. The sacred River! the fertiliser of pro- 



6 That is of the interior. 



7 The extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity which distinguished the late 

 Mr. Moorcroft, bade fair to give us some knowledge of part of this country, certainly 

 of a great portion of the surrounding mountain tract, had his life been spared. Few 

 men have possessed in an equal degree the qualifications necessary to ensure a tra- 

 veller's progress through those countries, and it is not likely that an enquiring spirit 

 like his would have rested while any thing remained to be learned, or any quarter 

 open to research presented itself. His premature death, while on the point, of return- 

 ing to his countrymen, is much to be deplored, It is hoped that the materials col- 

 lected may yet be made available to the increase of our knowledge of those countries. 



