BY ROBERT DE SCHLAGINTWE1T. 



141 



necessity of geographical precision became general. It may- 

 be remembered, that Saussure, in his first scientific explora- 

 tion of the Alps, found Mont Blanc without a name well 

 defining the peak, its individuality being merged along 

 with the surrounding region under the general appellation 

 of " Monts Maudits." 



"Whenever in the Himalaya designations for a peak were 

 wanting, we endeavoured to supply the deficiency by those 

 of any well defined object, such as passes, glaciers, valleys, 

 rivers, springs, etc. in their immediate neighbourhood ; for in 

 the Himalaya such objects are sufficiently distinguished by 

 popular and characteristic names, with which we had every 

 opportunity during our travels of getting a correct and inti- 

 mate acquaintance. 



Every peak measured by the Great Trigonometrical Sur- 

 vey, whether its name be known or not, is marked with a 

 number or an initial. With reference to the various cha- 

 racteristics adopted in such cases by the Great Trigonome- 

 trical Survey, I hope not to commit an error, when I state 

 it here as my conviction, that, though Major Walker does 

 not clearly express himself about this point, the Roman 

 numbers, viz. I, II, III, etc. are .signs, which the G. T. Sur- 

 vey wishes to be considered as definite ones, whilst all other 

 characteristics, as E. G» A, a, L, B, y. etc., are provisional 

 signs, which the G. T. Survey will replace at a later period 

 by definite Roman numerals. 



With reference to the accuracy with which the peaks 

 contained in this enumeration are measured, we have to 

 distinguish three degrees. 



I. The peaks marked with Roman numerals, as I, II, III, 

 etc. are measured with the first degree of accuracy : even a 

 later re- measurement will not alter to any appreciable 

 amount tiie results obtained. See Major Walker's memoir, 

 paras. 80 and 81, 



