国立情報学研究所 - ディジタル・シルクロード・プロジェクト
『東洋文庫所蔵』貴重書デジタルアーカイブ

THE NAME OF THE MOUNTAINS NORTH OF THE TSANGPO.

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The most interesting of the predecessors to my Transhimalaya is, however, the one introduced by Colonel GODWIN-AUSTEN in 1883. He says that the old and new observations »have, when considered in conjunction with the ascertained strike of the granitoid or gneissic rocks, led me to separate the great Central Asian Chain into the following five principal divisions, with some minor subdivisions: i) The main axis or Central Asian, Kuenlun. 2) Trans-Himalaya. 3) Himalaya. 4) Outer or Lower Himalaya. 5) Sub-Himalaya.» I

It is not quite clear where he places his Trans-Himalaya. But of the ShayokKailas he says: »This subsidiary axis is well marked on the south of the Pangkong Lake north-west and south-east of Tanksé, running parallel to the Ladak range ... To the eastward from Sajam Peak, the north side of the Indus and Gartangchu to the Kailas Peak, thence very probably north of the head-waters of the Brahmaputra.»

At another place 2 Godwin-Austen, dealing with the same subject, has also published an illustrating map to his lecture (Pl. XXVI). On this map we read the name Trans Himalaya at a place where a part of the actual Transhimalaya is in reality situated. That is to say, Godwin-Austen's Trans-Himalaya, situated between 83° and 85° of longitude, and N.E. of the river, covers only a small part of my Transhimalaya. The same map alludes to Saunders' Gangri by a clotted line, showing that Godwin-Austen regards this range as problematic.

We have seen that Cunningham and Reclus tried to introduce the name Trans-Himalaya by giving it to different northern Himalayan ranges. When it appears a third time, under the strong authority of Godwin-Austen, it has been placed in the only region of Tibet where one can speak at all of a Trans-Himalaya, namely north of the great valley which, in almost the whole of its length, must be regarded as the northern boundary of the Himalayan system. In this connection it is not necessary to enter upon Godwin-Austen's views regarding the different ranges as he has shown them by help of red lines. But if I understand his map rightly he includes one or two ranges south of the Tsangpo in his Trans-Himalaya, a view that diminishes the value of his use of the name.

In his text to this map Godwin-Austen discusses Saunders' different ranges. Talking of the »high range north of the Manasarowar Lake», which from there is »continued east as a range north of, and parallel with the Sangpo», he adds: »It is un-

des sources du Tsan po (mont Kouboun) et les monts Bouriamsoum, à 140 li (31 milles) 3 l'ouest de Tchirong.» L'Asie Centrale, p. 533. At another place he says that all the sources of the Ganges, which traverse the Himalayan region, as well as the Arun, the Lopra chu and the Subansiri, spring from the great Tibetan chain, called Trans-Himalaya, »qui, au nord et parallèlement aux monts Himalaya proprement dits, longe sans interruption la rive droite du Tsan po jusqu'à sa source.» Ibidem p. 182.

I Paper on the Himalayan Ranges etc. read before the British Association in 1883. Proceedings R. G. S. Vol. V. 1883, p. 61 o et seq.

2 The Mountain Systems of the Himalaya and neighbouring Ranges of India.» Proceedings R. G. S. Vol. VI. 1884, p. 83 et seq.