Читать книгу Views in India, chiefly among the Himalaya Mountains онлайн

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Peaks of the Jumnootree, or Bunderpooch Mountains, (giving rise to the Jumna, the Tonse, and the Berai Gunga,) varying in elevation from 20,122, to•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21,155 Also upwards of fifty inferior peaks, lying between lon. 78° and 80° East, varying from 18 to•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20,000

In clear weather, the most lofty of these mountains in the direction of Catmandoo in Nepaul, may be seen from Patna, at the distance of 160 geographical miles; while in some places, Purneah and Rejmhal, for instance, they are visible at a still more extraordinary distance, 232 English miles; a circumstance which, according to the calculation of Mr. Colebrooke, establishes their height to be at least 28,000 feet, since nothing less would render them barely discernible at that distance in the mean state of the atmosphere; although under circumstances of extraordinary refraction, a lower altitude would produce the same effect.

In consequence of their vast extent and the various difficulties, partly arising from the nature of the country, and partly from the unwillingness to admit strangers within their territories, manifested by the Ghoorka and Chinese governments, a very considerable portion of the Himalaya remains unexplored: our acquaintance, however, with this interesting country is improving every day. In addition to the numerous scientific travellers anxious to add to the stock of information already gathered by the indefatigable researches of Messrs. Colebrooke, Fraser, Webb, Raper, Hodson, Herbert, the Gerards, and Royle, hosts of idlers from the plains are continually ranging through the most accessible places, or extending their wanderings to others less known. The journals, notes, diaries, private letters, and conversation of these gentlemen, have contributed many very interesting particulars relative to the scenery, geology, &c.; and in the course of a few years we may hope, through these sources, to acquire a very correct idea of the whole of this splendid region.