Part 19 - 25–27 Feb: Kheri Gompa seeds, Demri march, Jiri Chu valley camp

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SUMMARY:
Notes botanical observations including rhododendrons and Agapetes; arranged seed collection of Primula filipes near Kheri Gompa and received mail from Darrang amid concerns over dwindling stores. Marched to Demri and then camped below Balfai in the Jiri Chu valley, tested Lumière films (spoiled by hot water), and found little of botanical interest in hot weather.

CONTENT:
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Rhododendron grande 1134 at 7000 ft
Agapetes serpens 1136 at 6000 ft
...interest but a rhododendron new to us, with lemon yellow flowers & red stigma. It clouded over before I got there, and had some hail.

25th Feb. Hab. - Looked round about camp for more flowers with no success, but appointed a man to see to collecting seeds of Primula filipes from beside Kheri Gompa. In the evening we packed up a mail, - a mail from Darrang arrived. There were just about three or four days' mail. I had more letters from home about Mother, written at the end of the month or beginning of Feb. We are rather worried at the way our stores are going. Flour will last no time at this rate, & no more is available here of any kind.

26th Feb. DEMRI. 6 miles. BP. 208.2 Temp. 78°. Approx 2190'.
A short march down hill, very hot. I tried the new Lumière films here, but water is too hot, & ruined three exposures. Luckily there was nothing of any great value.
(astonished to find Rhododendron arboreum in flower as low down as 2500 ft)

27th. Camp. about 5 miles below Balfai in the Jiri Chu valley. 7 miles. A grand day, but no flowers or birds of interest seen. It was hot starting.