
1865.] Notes on Central Asia. 131 
snows with the exception of two patches, are only sporadic, and the 
snow-line is not below 9,500 feet. This case proves that the snow- 
line rises rapidly from the Altai to the Tarbagatai, owing to the 
greater dryness of a continental atmosphere. Lastly, the barometrical 
observations of Schrenck, in the Djungarian Alatat, in Lat. 45° N., fixed 
the limits of eternal snows at 10,700 feet. Calculating then the height 
of the snow-line in the Tian-Shan by a comparison of that of the 
northern slope of the Himalayan, and of the Tarbagatai ranges, we 
obtain 11,700 feet and 11,950 feet, if we take in the Djungarian 
Alatai. 
In this manner all the facts of the case, not alone those supplied us 
by comparative geography and climatology, but likewise those derived 
from the exact observations of other travellers, tend to confirm my 
figures, and prove them to be rather understated than magnified ; 
Humboldt’s doubts therefore as to the possibility of the snow-line of 
the Tian-Shan exceeding 11,000 feet elevation, are disposed of not only 
on theoretical considerations, but also by ocular demonstration. The 
interesting questions relating to the existence of fine alpine glaciers 
in the Tian-Shan, which is in intimate connection with that of the 
height of the snow-line, I solved in complete accordance with the 
previously expressed opinions of Humboldt and Ritter. I set out 
without any foregone conclusions on this point, but having experienced 
the remarkable dryness of the air in the Tian-Shan mountains, and 
having ascertained, on ascending the Fatiki Davan, that the height of 
the snow-line was higher than 11,000 feet, involuntary doubts entered 
my mind as to the possibility of the existence of real glaciers in the 
Tian-Shan. These doubts were, however, soon dispelled. At the 
sources of the river system of the Sary-Djaza, I came across five 
magnificent alpine glaciers and a ‘“‘ Mer de glace” exceeding in size that 
of Chamounix. Notwithstanding some of the peculiarities of the 
Tian-Shan glaciers, owing principally to their prevalence at not more 
than about 2,500 feet below the limit of the snow-line, while in 
| Switzerland they descend as low as 5,000 feet, their existence in the 
| form anticipated by Ritter and Humboldt, on the strength of Chinese 
accounts, was fully confirmed. 
It now remained for me to prove, by actual observation on the spot, 
| the existence or otherwise of volcanic phenomena in Djungaria, and 
