258 Xofes of an Excursion to the Pindree Glacier. [March, 



tal of the glaciers of Switzerland, I can most confidently state that there 

 is not in Europe a more genuine instance, and Mr. H. Strachey, after 

 much more experience, in Gurhwal and Kumaoon, assures me that it is 

 by no means a singular one. Captain A. Broome many years ago 

 penetrated to the cave source of the Bhagiruthee, which he found to 

 be formed of pure ice ; so that little doubt can remain of the enormous 

 " snow-bed" at the head of that river being also a true glacier. Captain 

 Weller, who traversed the glacier near Milum (J. A. S. No. 134, for 

 1843) was struck by the fantastic castles, walls, &c. of its higher por- 

 tion ; this appearance would denote the junction of a lateral glacier ; 

 but in no part of of his journal does he appear to be aware that at 

 Milum there was such a thing as a glacier ; at least he never employs 

 the word. Certainly the recent heavy rains had thoroughly washed 

 the Pinduree glacier, and its surface exhibited a sheet of the purest 

 ice, except on and near the terminal escarpment, which being covered 

 with rubble, resembles, at a short distance, a steep bank of mud ; and 

 such, I hear, is the appearance in May and June of the Milum glacier. 

 But to make quite sure, I carried a hatchet, and frequently broke off 

 fragments, which everywhere were perfect ice, the only difference per- 

 ceptible, or that I can remember, between this and the x\lpine ice, being 

 a coarser granular structure here. It is intersected by the same fissures, 

 has the same ribband texture, and from its origin in the snow to its 

 termination above the cave, falls in a series of the most beautiful curves, 

 which appeared to my unscientific, but unbiassed eye, a striking illus- 

 tration of the truth of Professor Forbes' Viscous Theory. That the mass 

 is moving downwards seems confirmed by the form of the snow at its 

 head, viz. a succession of terraces, with steep walls, just such as clay, 

 &c. assumes on its support being removed. The Bhotiahs of Milum 

 affirm that their glacier has receded from the village two or three 

 miles to its present site, and Ramsingh assured me that the same is 

 true, in a less degree, at Pinduree. The glacier may be about two 

 miles long, and from 300 to 400 yards broad, and probably occupies the 

 interval between the levels 12000 and 13000 feet above the sea; owing 

 its existence to the vast quantities of snow precipitated from Nunda 

 Devee and the other lofty mountains above, which, melted by the noon- 

 day sun, is frozen at night. It must be observed too, that in spite of 

 theory and observation elsewhere, the perpetual snow appears here to 



