SU'RVEY OF THE GANGES. .4(>9 



on the apeic of one of the highest mountains in the neighbourh-ood ; and 

 from the base to the -summit the perpendicular height could not be less 

 that! -four thousand feet; probably it far exceeded this calculation. Frorri 

 the edge of the scarp, th^ eye extended over seven or eight disti-nci 

 chains of hills, one rising above the other, till the v-ie^^v was terminated by 

 the Himalaya, or snowy mountains. It is necessary for a person to place 

 jiimself in our situation, before he .can form a just conception of the scene. 

 The depth of the valley below, the progressive elevation of the interme- 

 diate hills, and the majestic splendor of the " cloud-capt" Himalaya, 

 formed so grand a pidlure, that the mind was impressed with a sensation 

 of dread rather than of pleasure. 



The intermediate ranges appeared to run nearly parallel to each other, 

 and to have a general direction of about N. W. to S. E. The most 

 ^distinguis.hed peaks of the snowy range are those designated by the 

 ■ names of ^Gangmtri and JamaMvl, whence the Ga?iges and Jamun^ 

 rivers are supposed to deprive their source. The direction of the formers 

 as talien by Lieutenant Webb., from the spot where we stood, was N. 

 4<6°3' E. its angle of elevation :g° i'. The ^natives distinguished it by 

 the name of Mahddeva ,ca-linga : its shape is pyramidical, with a broad 

 base, and the point rather flattened. The latter bore N. iS°34'E.its 

 angle of elevation \3"a 7'. These two appeared to be the highest peaks 

 in the whole range. The horizontal distance of this extensive chain, 

 according to the best estimate we were able to form, could not exceed 

 thirty miles. By the. computations of the natives, we were twelve days 

 journey from <tihe ifornier ; but the experience which we have already 

 ibad of the nature (Of the country, does not tend to destroy the supposi- 

 tion, or render! it extrava^gant; 



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