Part 117 - From Trimo to Marmang, Le, Pangchen, and Shakti with botanical notes

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SUMMARY:
The diarist travels from Trimo to Marmang and then on to Le, Pangchen, and Shakti, noting a steep river descent suggestive of the Himalayan Range crossing. Botanical observations focus on Rhod. 12548 in mass bloom, with mention of few other flowers, severe flies at Pangchen, and cooperative coolies.

CONTENT:
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arranged a camp site, then said "all coolies are now ready to take you on - will you go?" It seemed a good chance, so we went on to Marmang, about 7 miles further. The Trimo people are so nice after the more sophisticated Tibetans of the Dzongs. I had no time to look for rhodos. in Trimo, and did not try the Poha route. It is a relief to get away from Trimo, after all the hints that Dzongs from Netong on have been making about the impossibility of getting on from Tsona without a T.G. letter. Saw a magpie in Trimo and two more in Marmang.

24th May Le. Left at 7.0 in at 12. It is longer than expected, this march, and the road rough but not unduly up and down. In fact the path falls all the way, and this must be by far the steepest fall in the river anywhere from its source. It would appear therefore that the line of the main Himalayan Range is between Le and Marmang, as every river I have followed through the Himalayas takes a sudden marked downward inclination when actually passing through the Range. The only interesting flower today was Rhod. 12548 which may be Rhod. maddenii odoriferum. As seeds I have often taken seed before, but never seen the flower, which is beautiful and very fragrant indeed.

25th May Pangchen. Fine till we got in. Not good for flowers. But Rhod. 12548 was in masses all the way, and still in flower everywhere. It is a very fine shrub. Rhod. thasdotum was seen, but no sign of flowers anywhere. Here the flies are terrible. I have never seen so many flies before. We were to stay a day, but had to give up. It would be no rest with flies as they are here.

26th May Shakti. Coolies came on very well indeed, and the people here are good. They do not like copper shokangs but they want