| | XII ling, arranging and analysing the results brought about by other travellers in the same regions. I was giving too much of my own and too little of what was gained by my predecessors. One got bewildered in the details, losing all general views, and one became unable, without serious, preparatory studies, to assign, to my scientific journey, its right place in the chain of human progress. In the present instance I have therefore, in dealing with the matter, followed quite an opposite system. To the historic point has been given the preponderance in »Southern Tibet». As far as it has been possible to command the whole geographical literature in this branch, I have, within its precincts, sought out every treatise, ancient or modern, contributing to the knowledge of the country that had become the object of my investigation. From the last contemporary travels of exploration I have passed on to my own journey, thereby enabling the reader to decide by himself in what measure the latter has brought about new real results. My own journey has been described as succinctly as possible, with indication only of its chief characteristic traits. Certain parts have not even been mentioned at all. Thus, for instance, I have altogether left out the voyage round Kailas for the reason that I had given a quite sufficient account of its features already in my popular work »Transhimalaya». The voyages down the upper Indus from Gartok to Drugub, and down the upper Satlej through Himalaya, were affecting regions so well known, that I needed not now dwell upon them. All unessential details have been omitted, and only the results set forth. In this way, a clear general view may be taken of the matter, allowing it to be more easily compared with the harvest reaped by other explorers. In consequence of the modified plan, my new work has become considerably reduced as to its dimensions, when compared with »Scientific Results». It is true that also this time I am appearing with four volumes of geographical text, but both the size and the number of pages are less than previously. The fact that it has not been possible to proceed with the publishing earlier than eight or nine years after my return home, is of no account. The work has in no manner grown an- tiquated by the lapse of time. As far as I know, no one has visited the territory
in question later than myself, and no new light has been thrown over Transhimalaya since my caravan last time wandered over its mountains. The geographical text is divided into four volumes. The first is relating to the lake Manasarovar and the Sources of the great Indian Rivers from the remotest antiquity to the end of the eighteenth century. The second forms its continuation I Vol. I was printed from July 1914 till February 1916, Vol. II during February and March 1916, Vol. III from March to May 1916 and Vol. V from December 1915 to February 1916. |
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