1849.] On the Physical Geography of the Himalaya. 767 



The country drained by the above three rivers (Karnali, Gandak and 

 Cosi) includes the whole of Nepal and the proximate part of Kiimaun, 

 or, in other words, 800 miles of the central and most characteristic 

 portion of the Himalaya. Wherefore it is legitimately presumeable 

 that whatever is true of its natural divisions, is true of those of the 

 residue, quoad ruling principle and geological causation. 



Now, if the above facts relative to these three rivers be justly repre- 

 sented (and that they are so, in the main, I confidently assert), we are 

 led irresistibly to inquire why the numerous large feeders of the rivers, 

 instead of urging their impetuous way from the snows to the plains by 

 independant courses, are brought together upon or near the verge of 

 the plains 1 how unity is effected among them despite the interminable 

 maze of ridges they traverse, and despite the straight downward im- 

 pulse given them at their sources ? — I answer, it is because of the 

 superior elevation of the lateral barriers of these river basins, between 

 which there are synclinal slopes of such decided preponderance that 

 they overrule the effect of all other inequalities of surface, how vast 

 soever the latter may sometimes be. 



It will be seen by the map that these lateral barriers of the river 

 basins are crowned by the pre-eminent Himalayan peaks, that the 

 peaks themselves have a forward position in respect to the ghat line or 

 great longitudinal water shed between Tibet and India, and that from 

 these stupendous peaks, ridges are sent forth southwards proportiona- 

 bly immense. Thus from the peak of Kangchang is sent forth the 

 ridge of Singilela, which towers as loftily over all the other sub-Hima- 

 layan ridges of eastern Nepal and western Sikim as does Kangchang 

 itself over all the other Himalayan peaks. 



This Singilelan prolongation (so to speak) of Kangchang, entirely 

 separates the waters of the Cosi and of the Tishta. A similar ridge, 

 that of Dayabhang,* stretching south from the great peak of Gosain- 

 than, as entirely divorces the waters of the Cosi and of the Gandak. 

 Another like ridge rising from Dhoula-giri as effectually sunders the 

 waters of the Gandak and of the Karnali. Another starting from 



have long since succumbed to the political supremacy of other races — first the 

 Makwanis and then the Gorkhalis. 



* Hence the name Dhaibung, erroneously applied by Col. Crawfurd to the peak. 

 Dayabhang, the destroyer of pity, from the severity of the ascent. 



