xxxii Report of the Miner alogical Survey [No. 126*. 



54. The sources of these rivers which spring in, or from, the Snowy- 

 Zone, are elevated from 10 to 17,000 feet, the first being that of the 

 Jumna, the latter of the Sutluj, the two extremes. There is evidently- 

 some connection between the length of a river course and the elevation 

 of its source. I find from a comparison of those which flow in the 

 same direction, and which may be consequently supposed to have the 

 same declivity, that the height of the source above any given point is 

 as the square root of the distance from that point. Thus the Jumna, 

 Kalee, and Bhagerettee are respectively elevated above the points where 

 they enter the plains, 9,573 feet, 10,593 feet, and 12,776 feet, which re- 

 sults are as the numbers 10, 11, 6, 12, 9. Their distances from those 

 points are 123, 143, and 203 miles, the square roots of which are as the 

 numbers 10, 11, 1, 13, 3, differing by less than unity from the preced- 

 ing. 27 The Sutlej will not bear a comparison with these, because 

 its course is in a different direction, and has not consequently the same 

 declivity. In the direction of its course, its great length, and the little 

 aid it derives from accessory streams, it forms a strong contrast to all 

 the other mountain rivers. 



55. A feature common to all the water-heads that belong to the Snowy 

 Zone, is their situation always in a comparatively open and level spot, 

 with an accumulation of snow resting against the base of some lofty 

 peak, from which the embryo stream derives its first supplies. Accord- 

 ing to the season of the year, the snow-bed will be of greater or less 

 magnitude and depth. During many months, the place will be deep 

 in snow, and unapproachable. After the snow begins to melt, a constant 

 moisture is kept up for many months, while in the fine season again, 

 vegetation goes on luxuriantly. The consequence is, the formation of a 

 thick coating of peat, which is invariably found at all elevations, having 

 a temperature such as to ensure during several months the slow and 

 gradual melting of the accumulations of snow that occur during the 

 winter. From 11,500 to 13,000 feet, according to locality, may be con- 

 sidered as the height at which peat will be found. It is always however 



27. This law is not applicable to different parts of the same river's course, and yet it 

 gives very near approximations in the case applied. Thus if from the distance in 

 miles of any source from the debouche the square root be subtracted, and multiplied 

 by 882, the product is the height in feet above the debouche. This would give 12,221 

 feet as the height of the source of the Tonse. The result by the temperature of boiling 

 water was 12.784 



