537 



Extract of a Letter from J. H. Batten, Esq. Bengal Civil Service, 

 dated Camp Semulka on the Cosillah River, Kumaon, December 

 28th, 1843. 



In the July 1843 No. 14 of your valuable 'Journal of Natural 

 History,' which I have only lately had the opportunity of seeing, 

 I read Captain Hutton's paper on the snow of the Himalyas ; and, as 

 I diifered almost entirely from the conclusions so confidently drawn 

 by that gentleman, I thought it right for the interests of scientific 

 truth, to prepare some kind of answer. As, however, on a more 

 attentive perusal I find that you yourself appear implicitly to adopt 

 Capt. Hutton's views, and actually use these words : "we have long 

 been conscious of the error here so well pointed out by Capt. Hutton, 

 in common with every one who has visited the Himalya," I feel more 

 inclined to address you in the first instance, and to ask whether 

 you will publish a short reply which I meditate, and whether your 

 note to Captain Hutton's paper was written after your own full 

 and careful consideration of the subject, or merely on a general 

 kind of acquiescence with the facts and opinions of your able 

 contributor, who is so well known and esteemed as a collector of 

 scientific data. 



Now I am one who have visited the Himalya on the western side. 

 I have crossed the Borendo or Boorin Pass into the Buspa valley 

 in lower Kunawur, returning into the Rewaien mountains of 

 Gurhwal by the Roopin Pass. I have visited the source of the 

 Jumna at Jumnootree ; and moving eastward, the sources of the 

 Kalee or Mundaknee branch of the Ganges at Kadarnath, of the 

 Vishnoo Gunga, or (Aluknunda) at Buddrinath and Mana, of the 

 Pindur at the foot of the great peak Nundidevi, of the Dhonlee branch 

 of the Ganges beyond Neetee, crossing and recrossing the Pass 

 of that name into Thibet, of the Goree or great branch of the Sardah 

 or Kalee, near Oonta Dhoora beyond Melum. I have, also, in my 

 official capacity made the settlement of the Bhote Mehals of this 

 province. My residence of more than six years in the hills has thrown 

 me constantly in the way of European and native travellers ; nor 

 have I neglected to acquire information from the recorded labors of 

 others. Yet, with all this experience, I am prepared to affirm, that 



