1866.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 21 



3. From C. Home, Esq., C. S., " Notes on an ancient Hindu 

 Temple at Malaon." 



4. From Col. J. T. "Walker a translation of a paper by Capt, 

 Golubief, " Observations on the astronomical points determined by 

 the brothers Schlagintweit in Central Asia." 



5. From W. Masters, Esq., Professor of Kishnaghur College. " A 

 few notes on the earthquakes that lately disturbed Lower Bengal." 



6. From Profr. R. Von Schlagintweit of Giessen, " Comparative 

 hypsometrical and physical tableau of High Asia." 



This paper of which the following is an abstract, was read by the 

 Secretary. 



The object of Mr. Schlagintweit's paper was to give a summary of the 

 Physical features of High Asia, and to institute a comparison of them 

 with the corresponding features of the Alps and Andes. The subject 

 was treated under six heads, viz. : Geographical configuration; Hydro- 

 graphy; the Phenomena of snow, glaciers, &c. ; Habitations; Extreme 

 heights visited by man ; and the Limits of vegetable and animal life. 

 The author sought to correct the prevailing impression that Tibet is 

 an elevated table land, an idea which still holds its ground, in spite of 

 the writings of Humboldt, Strachey, Cunningham and Thomson. Be- 

 tween the Karakorum and Kiinlun, especially over the western crest of 

 the former, there are several elevated tracts of between 16,000 and 

 18,000 ft. These tracts are below the snow-line, and without vegeta- 

 tion. Beyond these, in the far distance, snowy peaks are perceived, 

 besides which are nothing but barren rocks and extensive sterile 

 plains, well watered however, by glacier streams. The plateaux of 

 the Andes are more extensive than those of the Himalaya, and have 

 large towns at elevations of from 11,000 to 14,000 ft. The mean 

 height of 19 passes in the Himalaya is 17,800 ft .; the mean of three 

 in the Karakorum 18,700, and that of two in the Kiinlun, 17,000 ft. 

 The highest in the Himalaya is the Gamin Pass leading from Garhwal 

 to Gnari Khorsum at an elevation of 20,459 ft. In the Andes, the 

 average elevation of the passes is 14,000 ft. 



Of the peaks of the Himalaya, 17 exceed 25,000 ft., 40 are above 

 23,000 ft., and 120 are above 20,000 ft. ; the highest is Mount Everest, 

 which is 29,000 ft. The highest of the Karakorum range is that 

 known as K. 2, which is 28,278 ft. in height, and second only to 



