xxii Report of the Mineralogical Survey [No. 126*. 



one of the latter to have an elevation of 27,000 feet. 21 Those who 

 have travelled through Oude, within a sufficient distance of the mountain 

 tract, know that the series continues in all that line without any such 

 inferiority, at least as the eye can detect. This is a presumption, if it 

 be no more. 22 



32. The fact, that in a line of 500 miles two summits are found ex- 

 ceeding five miles in perpendicular height, not isolated, but connected to 

 appearance by a regular series of peaks of very little inferior elevation, 

 is alone calculated to give us a lively idea of the enormous magnitude 

 of this mountain zone. It is almost certain, that if we confine ourselves 

 to 21,000 feet, we may find a connected line of such peaks extending 

 through a distance of 1,000 miles. When I say connected, I mean 

 without any apparent breaks, because as already noticed of those within 

 the basin of the Ganges, it is probable that they are not connected in 

 reality, except through the line of water-heads from which they ramify. 



33. But, it may be asked, how shall we be certain that this is really 

 the line of greatest elevation, and that is on this side the highest 

 peaks are within the river districts, and not on their boundary; may 

 they not be so likewise on the other side, and consequently there be 

 found in the basin of the Indus, as suggested by M. Humboldt, still 

 loftier summits than those which distinguish that of the Ganges ? 



34. To this it may be answered, first, that as we have already seen 

 this line of greatest elevation is undoubtedly prolonged into the basin of 



21 This is the peak mentioned by Mr. Colebrooke, (As. Res.) under the name 

 of Dhawala-giri, or the White Mountain. Captain Webb, whose measurement 

 he reports, found nearly the same result. Captain Blake also, when employed 

 as Surveyor on the Goruckpore frontier, found the same height nearly. I consider 

 my measurement as less exceptionable than either of these, for the following reasons : — 



(1.) The position of the peak depends on a traingulation established from a base 

 of 1,142 feet measured with a chain, and not from the protraction of the route, 

 the angles being taken by an excellent sextant of Berges. (2.) The angle of elevation 

 was taken repeatedly, and at different seasons, by reflection from mercury with the 

 same sextant. (3.) A much nearer approach to the peak was made one of the stations, 

 being distant only seventy miles, whereas the nearest of theirs was 120 miles. 



22. It would be very desirable to have the positions and elevations of the principal 

 summits along our frontier fixed with tolerable correctness. Such a task would 

 not be either difficult or tedious, provided the attention were confined to those points 

 alone. It would form the very best foundation for a correct map of India, for these 

 peaks once fixed, every place from whence they are visible, may be settled with 

 L'^ual precision, and thus afford means of correcting the Easting or Westing of our 

 protractions, which is the great desideratum. This subject has been noticed by 

 Major Hodgson in the paper in 14th vol. A. S. lies. 



