b22\ SUEVEY' O'F TEl GANGEST. 



a small stream called Ruca Gangd^ which derives its source from the- 

 snow, on a mountain to the left, and falls into the Alacanandd about two; 

 hundred paces beloWo ■ Over this stream is a? strong.. Sangha. 



OxNT this day's route, we passed over several beds of snow; some of 

 which could not be. less than seventy' or eighty feet in thickness. The 

 river v^as, in some parts, entirely Goncealed by the snow; which was 

 SO" firmly congealed, as hardly to receive the marks of pressure. It was 

 otcasionally disclosed, and again lost from view. 



We are now completely surrounded by hoary tops, on which snow 

 eternally rests, and blights the roots of vegetation.. The lower parts of 

 the hills produce verdure and small trees. About mid-way, the fir rears 

 Its lofty head; but the summits, repelling each nutritious Impulse, are 

 veiled in garments of perpetual whiteness. 



"soth. Therm. 4S. This morning we made an excursion, with a view to 

 explore the northern extremity of the valley, and to proceed in the direc- 

 tion of the river, to the point whence the stVeam emerges from the depths 

 of snow, which over-lay and conceal its curreptSo At the distance of two 

 and an half furlongs, we passed the town and temple of Bhadri-Ndt'ha ; 

 whence, proceeding by the road, centrically placed between the river 

 and the mountsin, we crossed several small streams, issuing from the 

 hills, and formed by the melting of the snow upon the summits. Some of 

 these water courses exhibit a very grand and pleasing appearance ; falling 

 from one ladge. to another, on the scarped rock, in successive cascades. 

 The one called Indra Dhdrd is the most considerable ; its track being 

 perceptible to the beds of snow, whence it derives its source. Its dis- 

 tance from Bhadri-Ndi'h .IS one mile two furlongs ; and three quarters of 

 a mile beyondit, on the opposite side of the Alacanandd^ is a large town, 



