3862.] 
211 
Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 
glacier takes its rise from underneath a peak 28,287 feet high. 
Captain Montgomerie was in a considerable state of alarm at one 
time lest this noble peak should turn out to be in Turkistan. Captain 
Austen has, however, removed all anxiety on that score, as one side 
of the peak at any rate is in Her Majesty’s dominions. 
Captain Montgomerie noticed that all glacier phenomena were to 
be found on a gigantic scale in the Shigar valley. The crevasses in 
the ice were of great breadth and of the most formidable description. 
An attempt was made to measure the thickness of the ice by sound¬ 
ing one of these yawning chasms, but a line of 160 feet in length 
failed to reach the bottom of it. Observations made at the end of 
the glaciers gave a thickness of 300 or 400 feet, but doubtless higher 
up a still greater thickness of ice will be found. 
The surface ice was regularly drained by streamers with large lakes 
of a-half to two miles in length, the whole water occasionally dis¬ 
appearing down great holes or “ moulins” in the ice with a loud 
intermittent roaring noise. 
The glaciers being on such a gigantic scale, it, of course, took days 
and da} r s to explore one of them. In the smaller glaciers no par¬ 
ticular precautions had to be taken, but in the Shigar valley it was 
absolutely necessary to tie all the men of the party together with 
rope, giving about ten yards between each so as to save any one who 
might slip into a crevasse. Implements for cutting ice were in con¬ 
stant requisition and altogether it was a service of considerable 
danger exploring the larger glaciers. 
The exposure involved in such explorations is evident from the 
number of days for which it was necessary to encamp on the ice at a 
great elevation with a limited supply of food and fuel which had to 
be carried for the whole trip. The economy necessary in fuel was 
more especially trying to Captain Austen and his party. 
Captain Austen made the detailed survey of the Shigar valley and 
its vast glaciers. Lieutenant Melville did the same for the glaciers 
of the Sooroo, Zanskar and Butuai, Mr. Byall those of the Saltoro 
valley ; Mr. Todd those of the Brahma group. Captain Montgomerie 
considers that to all of them (and more especially to Captain Austen) 
the greatest praise is due for their untiring devotion to a mos-t 
arduous and trying task, and for the skill with which they have 
accomplished it. 
