and the Sources qftlie Jumna and the Ganges. 
saw them. It will be best attempted by the drawings which de- 
lineate the scenery — P. 15^. 
Description of the Himalayan Range ^ and the Passes across it 
The great Himalayan snowy range is only the highly 
elevated crest of the mountainous tract that divides the plains 
of Hindostan from those of Thibet or Lesser Tartary. Far as 
they predominate over, and precipitously as they rear them- 
selves above the rest, all the hills that appear in distinct ranges, 
when viewed from the plains, are indeed only the roots and 
branches of this great stem, and however difficult to trace the 
connection, can always be detected between each inferior moun- 
tain, and some particular member of its great origin. At times 
indeed, this connection seems nearly broken ; and a lofty peak, 
rearing itself as if in rivalry, presents a very extensive ramification 
of lesser ridges, separating ravines .which extend down to the 
great drains of the country, and thus becomes, as it w^ere, the 
nucleus of a subordinate district ; from the lofty height of 
which, the country between it and the principal chain seems 
comparatively low, though very rugged ; and in this hollow ge- 
nerally lies some river, with its subsidiary streams, which drain 
a large portion of the snow that annually melts from their sides. 
All the regularity of ranges which deceive the eye, on viewing 
this mountainous belt from the distant plains, thus vanishes on 
entering the country ; and the whole becomes a confused and 
chaotic assemblage of most rugged mountains, huddled into 
masses and peaks, and running into ridges, which defy aiTange- 
ment ; and it is only by attentive observation that they can be 
traced to one or other of the mighty piles that compose the 
snowy range. 
‘‘ The horizontal depth of this mountainous tract, on that 
side which overlooks Hindostan, is no doubt various; but from 
the difficulty of the country, the traveller performs a journey of 
many days before he reaches the foot of the immediate snowy 
cliffs. The best observations do not authorise more than an 
average of 60 miles from the plains to the commencement of 
these. The breadth of the snowy zone itself, in all probability, 
varies still more ; for huge masses advance in some places into 
the lower districts, and in others the crest recedes in long ra- 
