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ArTo XXIV. — Notice respecting the Journey to the Sources 
of' the Jumna and the Ganges, by J. B. Fraser, Esq. Com- 
municated by William Fraser Tytler, Esq. 
In the year 1815, Mr James Baihie Fraser explored a portion 
of that unknown and interesting region, which lies in the bosom 
of the Himalaya Mountains, and gives birth to several of the 
greatest rivers in India. 
Mr Fraser proceeded from Delhi to Nahn, aod from thence 
through the districts of Sirmoor, Joobul and Bischur to the 
Sutledge. Returning to the banks of the Jumna, he penetrated 
to the very sources of that river, and viewed it collecting from 
numerous small streams formed by the melting of the snow. 
From J umnatree he crossed the snowy range to the Baghiru- 
tee, the greatest and most sacred branch of the Ganges, and, 
following up the course of this river, he reached Gangootree. 
Mr Fraser’s observations made at this spot, beyond which he 
found it impracticable to penetrate, tend to confirm the prevailing 
belief of the Hindus, and the accounts of the ancient Shasters, 
that this magnificent river, equally an object of veneration, and 
a source of fertility, plenty, and opulence to Hindostan, rises 
within five miles due east of Gangootree ; and that the Ganges 
finds its origin in a vast bason of snow, confined within the five 
mighty peaks of Roodroo Himala. This mountain, reckoned 
the loftiest and largest of the snowy range in this quarter, and 
probably yielding to none in the whole Flimalaya range, is sup- 
posed to be the throne or residence of Mahadeo. It has 
five principal peaks called Roodroo Himala, Burrumpoore, 
Bissempoore, Oodgurreekanta, and Sooryarounee. These form 
a semicircular hollow of a very considerable extent, filled with 
eternal snow ; from the gradual dissolution of which, the prin- 
cipal part of the stream is generated. 
Mr Fraser’s journal embraces a full account of the very sin- 
gular state of society which is found among the inhabitants of 
these lofty regions, who, while in some particulars, they sink 
under the level of the most barbarous nations hitherto known 
to us, are in others, particularly in the perfection to which they 
