300 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 4. 



Mr. Hodgson proves no more than that there is according to 

 native report, a mountain called Deodangha somewhere between our 

 Nos. XI and XXI (vide chart.) That mountain may be one of the 

 peaks fixed by us, or it may be one that we failed to fix, or it may 

 not have been visible to us at all. 



If Deodangha is to be taken as the highest peak, that allegation 

 only rests on the hearsay evidence of natives unable to determine 

 the actual height of a mountain, and if it be a true guess on their 

 part, it by no means establishes the identity of Deodangha, because 

 we do not know for certain that Mount Everest is the highest 

 culminating point. All we do know is, that it is the highest point 

 we have measured. 



The only satisfactory way, in which the position of Deodangha 

 can be determined, is by carrying a series of triangles towards it, 

 until it can be seen and identified. Operations of this kind are im- 

 practicable at present for political reasons. In the meantime the 

 position and height of Deodangha constitute a Geographical problem 

 remaining to be solved. If it is not identical with Mount Everest, a 

 very grave blunder would be committed by assigning its name to 

 another peak. If it is identical, no harm will have been done by 

 the adoption of another cognomen, pending the doubt now existing. 



Great stress has been laid in some quarters on the fact, that the 

 position of Deodangha is given in German maps. Now this proves 

 no more than that some German Geographers are rash enough to 

 lay down any thing upon hearsay, for we know beyond all question, 

 that no competent Europeau, with adequate means, has ever been 

 in the vicinity of Deodangha, so as to be able to fix it. Deodangha 

 does not appear in English maps, because it would be inconsistent 

 with the rigorous notions which prevail among English scientific 

 men in general, to pretend to give the position of a point on the 

 earth's surface on hearsay evidence. It would violate every prin- 

 ciple of accuracy and precision laid down by my predecessor for the 

 conduct of the Trigonometrical Survey of India to jump at conclu- 

 sions, in this reckless manner. 



As the principle of adopting an European name has been much 

 commented upon, I will here add without further remark, paras. 6 

 and 7 of my letter to your address, cited at the commencement of 

 his letter. 



