1839.] of the country extending between Bhar and Simla. 1041 



from which shoot at right angles smaller chains, named principal 

 chains, and that between these the principal valleys occur; subordi- 

 nate to these, we have other mountain chains, running at right angles, 

 or perpendicular to the principal, and termed secondary chains, and 

 the valleys between these, secondary valleys. That however does 

 not appear to be the grouping of the mountain chains among the 

 Himmalehs. Here we have the principal, secondary, tertiary, &c. chains 

 running parallel, as already mentioned, in regard to the valleys to the 

 central or high mountain chain ;* as examples of valleys running 

 parallel to the central chain, we may give the Dehra Dhoon, and 

 the Punjore Dhoon. The appearance presented by many of the 

 small lateral valleys is remarkable, occupying the upper two-thirds, 

 or half of the mountain, and forming that kind ot valley, which has 

 been denominated "Coorie"t In the neighbourhood of Bunnassur, 

 there are many fine illustrations. Another very remarkable appearance 

 is presented by the valleys first pointed out by Bourquet, as occurring 

 among the valleys of the Alps, viz. salient and re-entrant angles. 

 In regard to this appearance in the Perynus, Raymond says, which 

 is quite applicable to many of the valleys between Bhar and Simla, 

 " that the angles so perfectly correspond, that if the force which 

 separated them were to act in a contrary direction, and bring their 

 sides together again, they would unite so exactly that even the 

 fissures could not be perceived." 



On ascending the mountains towards Simla, and in fact in every 

 direction, an appearance is presented, which strikes much the atten- 

 tion of the traveller on his first visit, we allude to the terraces on the 

 acclivities, bases, and summits of mountains, resembling much the 

 parallel roads of Argyleshire, so ably described by Sir T. Dick Lauder, J 

 they however, like the Scotch, are not parallel to each other on the 

 opposite side of the valleys, and moreover they occur every where, 



* Physical Geography is at present but in its infancy, the description of the form 

 and grouping of mountains is but imperfectly understood, and much neglected. 

 In books of travels, the vague descriptions given in general, are quite beyond 

 comprehension. In this country scarcely any attention has been paid to the subject, 

 though presenting probably the first field in the world for observation. We shall after- 

 wards inquire into the age of mountain ranges, based upon their parallelism, <i 

 supposition first advanced and ably defended by the celebrated Beaumont, when 

 we have examined more of the Himmalehs, which will allow us to compare this 

 mighty range with those on the European, American continents. 



f Imagine an oblique truncation, partly hollow in the upper two-thirds, or half of 

 a mountain, and we have the appearance represented. 



X Sir T. Dick Lauder's explanation being generally so well known, it is useless for 

 us to notice it here. See Trans, of the Royal Soc. Edinburgh- 



