268 Memorandum on tlie Nanga Parbat. [No. 4. 



The geographical co-ordinates of the Himalayan peaks enume- 

 rated in the accompanying list have been derived from the geodetical 

 operations of the Kashmir meridional series of the Gr. T. Survey of 

 India. 



This series commenced by order of Colonel "Waugh in 1855, 

 emanates from a side of the north-west longitudinal series in the 

 low ranges north of Sealkote. 



The triangulation of the series has been carried across the snowy 

 ridge of Chattardhar, over the Pir Panjal aud the great range to the 

 north of Kashmir, by means of symmetrical quadrilaterals and 

 polygons. 



Lumiuous signals* have been used throughout, and the rigorous 

 system of the G. T. Survey of India has nowhere been abated, not- 

 withstanding the physical difficulties presented by the snowy 

 ranges, and the severe climate on their summits, so trying to the 

 natives of India employed as lampmen and heliotropers. 



The Nanga Parbat or Dayarmur is a snowy mountain to the 

 north of Kashmir, midway between that valley and the river Indus. 

 The splendid mass of snow presented by this peak and its subordi- 

 nate pinnacles can be seen to the best advantage from the western 

 side of Kashmir, when it is viewed across the great "Walpar lake. 

 The upper portion of the mountain for 5,000 feet is precipitous, and 

 the neighbouring ranges never attain an altitude of more than 

 17,000 feet, consequently this magnificent peak, rising to an eleva- 

 tion of 26,629 feet above the sea, naturally forms a noble objectf in 

 whatever aspect it is viewed. 



Among the remaining mountains there are many fine peaks, the 

 most remarkable being " Ser" and " Mer," twin giants, the former 

 white and the latter dark, because it is too precipitous to retain 

 much snow on the Kashmir side. Ser and Mer are also called 

 Nana Khana, as well as Dum Huy and Pajah Huy, besides other 

 appellations. These peaks and all from No. 1 to No. 12 are well 

 known to those sportsmen who shoot ibex in the Wardwan valley. 



* Heliotropes and lamps, 

 t For a beautiful and characteristic sketch of this mountain, vide page 44, of 

 Major (now Lt.-Coloncl) Cunningham's work on Ladak. 



