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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 27.

PHYSICAL ASPECTS 27 unite until they have traversed the plains for some distance, when they flow into the valley of the Ganges. The central division has been called by the Nepalese from time immemorial the Sapt Gandaki, or I country of the seven Gandaks,' from the seven streams which, uniting, form the main river. By these the whole country between Dhaulagiri and Gosainthan is drained. The most important of them is the most easterly, the Trisulganga. They all unite before breaking through the hills at TribenL The eastern division is similarly known as the Sapt Kosi, or I country of the seven Kosis,' of which the most important is the San Kosi. After leaving the hills at Chatra, the Kosi becomes a very broad river. It is said that in places its bed is above the level of the surrounding country, in consequence of which it is constantly overflowing its banks, altering its channel, and causing widespread destruction of crops and property. Besides these three great geographical divisions, there is a fourth, of comparatively limited extent, but historically and economically the most important, for it contains the Valley of Nepal proper, with Katmandu, the capital of the kingdom. This district occupies an isolated tract between the basins of the Gandak and the Kosi, and is formed by the bifurcation of the ridge running south from Gosainthan. It is a gently undulating plain of nearly oval shape, having an average length from north to south of about 20 miles, and an average width Of 12 to 14 miles; and it lies 4,700 feet above the level of the sea. It covers about 250 square miles, and is surrounded on all sides by mountains which rise to a height Of 7,000 to 9,ooo feet. The valley is abundantly watered and drained by a small river, the Baghmati, which rises on the northern slopes of Sheopuri, the highest mountain forming its northern limit. In its course through the valley the Baghmati receives innumer- able smaller streams, the most important of which is the Vishnumati. The narrow gorge where the united waters leave the valley, Pherping, is the only break in the enclosing circle of mountains. According to ancient Hindu traditions, what is now the Valley of Nepal was once a large and deep lake, and from a geological point of view this theory is possible. The general surface is broken up into a succession of more or less extensive plateaux. Nepal generally is devoid of lakes, though it is said that several exist in the province of Pokhra situated to the west of the Nepal Valley. The scenery of Nepal, as may be gathered from the description of its physical features, is of an exceedingly diversified nature. Skirting the British frontier is the Tarai. This tract, as already stated, lies at the foot of the hills, on a level with the adjoining plains of India. It may be divided into two portions: the open country under cultivation, and primaeval jungle. The latter varies much in character. For the most VOL. XIX. C