16 Account of C.»ptaitf Hodgson's Journey to the 
mile above its junction with the Jumna , the Bannasa river falls 
from a precipice of yellow and rose coloured granite, of 80 or 
90 feet high, in a noble cascade. The breadth of the stream is 
about 15 feet, and it falls into a deep basin, which it has worn 
in the rock, with much noise. 
“ This stream is caused by the melting of the snows on the 
heights above. 
“ From the village, two of the Jumnotri peaks appear tower- 
ing above the clouds, with sublime effect. Angle of altitude, 
(taken by reflection in mercury), of the east peak 15° ST 45", 
of the west 17° 10' 10". 
“16th April 1817.— Bannasa, situated in Long. 5 h 13' 47", 
Lat. 30° 55' 50* 
“ 17th April, 1817 .— Bannasa to Cursali . — Thermometer at 
sunrise 38°. 
“ Descend to the Jumna , and cross it on a plank 12^ feet 
long, and again on a plank of 10 feet ; —depth of the water 2§ 
feet. Beds of frozen snow extend to the margin of the stream. 
A most laborious and steep ascent of 675 paces, whence we gra- 
dually descend, and cross the Jumna on a small Sangha , 
where it receives the Imri rivulet from the snow, whence it ori- 
ginates, about 1| mile to the end. It is less than the Jumna , 
which is now reduced to the rank of a rivulet. Strong ascent to 
the river of Cur sail. Total distance 4978 paces. 
“ The village of Cur soli contains about 25 substantial houses, 
and is situated at the immediate feet of the Jumnotri snowy 
peaks ; but they are not visible, as the near and steep part of the 
base obstructs the view. The situation of Cursali very pe- 
culiar, and one will hardly suppose that people should choose to 
live in such a remote and cold place. It is the latter end of April, 
and yet, daily slight showers of snow fall, and the remains of 
drifts yet lie in shaded places in the village. By the sides of 
the Imri and Jumna , there are several spots of flat ground, on 
which the inhabitants cultivate grain enough for their subsist- 
ence. To the west, north, and east, this little secluded place is 
bounded by the lofty cliffs of the Himalaya ; and to the south, 
it is sheltered by a mountain, the north face of which is not so 
steep, and it is clothed with trees. All those are at present deep 
in snow, which reaches down to the level of the two streams ; — 
