On the Perpetual Snow line, 59 



Again if we allow that an equal quantity of snow falls over either 

 side of the main chain, and that the radiation of heat from the plains 

 below them causes that snow to melt, it will follow that the hottest 

 side of the range will be more speedily uncovered than the other ; 

 this would furnish additional evidence in favour of the north, for 

 the plains of India being hotter than the plains of Thibet, the snow 

 would leave the southern aspect sooner than the northern, and if to 

 this we add the influence of the periodical rains on the Cis- Himalayan 

 side, there will remain little doubt as to which side retains the snow 

 the longest. 



What then becomes of the question ? It appears to be simply 

 this, namely, Dr. Lord observed that contrary to the usual belief the 

 snow lay longer, deeper, and lower down on the northern than on 

 the southern side of the Hindoo cush ; Dr. Gerard, Captains 

 Cunningham, Jack and myself observed the same facts in the dis- 

 tricts beyond Simla, and lastly Mr. Batten, albeit a strenuous advo- 

 cate for preconceived opinions, unintentionally shows, that precisely 

 the same phenomena are apparent even in Bhote. From all observers 

 therefore we have proof that the snow lies longer on the northren 

 slope of the Himalaya than it does on the southern, and consequently 

 that if everlasting snow, does in reality exist at all, it must be 

 sought for on the northern aspect. 



The result of the controversy then seems to be, that the usual 

 doctrine is founded on insufficient evidence, and that Captain Webb's 

 facts, if indeed he was not himself deceived, must be considered as 

 mere local phenomena having little or no weight as regards the gene- 

 ral question. 



Having now placed the matter in as clear a light as my data will 

 admit of, I shall here dismiss the subject, leaving its further discus- 

 sion and elucidation in the able hands of Mr. Batten and " all the 

 men, women and children" to whom he has so very facetiously, but 

 unnecessarily alluded. 



Mussoree, 2$th February, 1845. Thomas Hutton. 



