Showing 8 results

SUMMARY:
In camp above Trün after a misty morning, the diarist notes finding Gentiana waltonii, a Ceratostigma (possibly the same as at Lhakhang in 1933), Codonopsis convolvulacea, Delphinium gyalanum, and Briggsia aurantiaca, and mentions sending old seeds to Edinburgh. Traveling by the high road from Drotang to Trün through forest, they encountered about 15 Lopas who inspected the diarist’s gun with interest.

CONTENT:

200. Natrampa
     Pedicularis corydaloides 2408. Allium prattii 2409. Cornus macrophylla 2410.
     Quercus semicarpifolia 2411. Dryopteris xanthopennata 2412. Polystichum wilsonii 2413.
     Leucosceptrum clarkei 2414.

was almost always a wind with the mist or rain.

22nd July. In camp above Trün. 6 miles. 10500'. Another lovely day,
but misty all up the valley in the early morning till about
8.0 am. I came across three things I have been looking
for today. First the gentian which was seen on the dry,
(but south) side of the river on our way down in May. It is
Gentiana waltonii 2416
now just coming into flower, and a fine sight 2416. I
sent a few of last year's old seeds to Edinburgh before, under
Ceratostigma minus 2422
no number. Then I found a little Ceratostigma 2422,
just coming into bloom. I hope it is the same as the
Codonopsis convolvulacea 2423
one we got at Lhakhang in 1933, a new sp. And 2423
Delphinium gyalanum 2421.
Briggsia aurantiaca 2420
the same creeper (vinca blue) which we got quite near
the Ceratostigma at Lhakhang, a beautiful flower,
but only just coming out. I took the high road
this time from Drotang to Trün, and it is very much
pleasanter than the riverside path, easier, more level,
and through forest for most of the way. We passed a
body of about 15 Lopas, both men and women, and had quite
good fun with them. I took some photos of them, and
then they inspected my gun with much interest, and

SUMMARY:
Diary notes record halts and short marches from Kyabden via Cha-Chomo Dzong, Te, Pang/Pona, Ligang, and into Dzeng, with generally fine weather and some rain. Plant records include Gentiana waltonii and Rhododendron bulu. Taylor falls ill and, with Kesang (whose poisoned foot is lanced), goes down the Tsangpo by kowa boats; the writer later meets Ludlow near Temo La.

CONTENT:
not meet Krush on the way back.

Kyabden
1st September. Halt. Cloudy with some rain. Taylor much better fit for the road now.

2nd September. Camp below CHA-Chomo Dzong. Smiles. Rain on and off till 2.0 pm, then heavy rain rest of day.
Gentiana waltonii 6212. Rhododendron bulu 6213.
It is very pleasant to be on the move again. Gentiana waltonii 6212, pretty common in full flower on the hills to the East.

To 3rd September. TE. 7 miles. Path good the whole way, fit for riding transport ponies. Several villages are passed and extensive cultivation most of the way. The largest village is PAGZI, at mile 2 1/2. Nyönpa tolo is passed at mile 5 1/2 and Te reached at mile 7. The Nyang Chu valley is broad, on the left bank are extensive grassy meadows, especially at and beyond Te. Fine nearly all day in the valley, but heavy rain in the hills and down near Tsela Dzong.

To 4th Sept. PANG or PONA. 8 miles. Fine all day, with showers of rain round about. Very strong wind up the valley all afternoon. Path good most of the way, through cultivation chiefly, with a stretch of 3 miles along the hillside in the middle. Our transport having been collected from all these villages, we have no changes, a great advantage.

LIGDING
5th Sept. Ligang. 3 miles. Fine, showers on hills. Opposite Tsela Dzong, a large village.

Dzeng
6th September. Dzeng (below Temo Gompa). 8 miles. Fine, with showers in the hills. Taylor rather bad again last night, with a little nausea, but no bad pains. So I got two kowas and he and Kesang, with a badly poisoned foot, went down the Tsangpo in them, a very easy method, which only took from 7.30 till 10.0 am. We took till 11.30. The path is good for ponies the whole way, through cultivation to mile 1 1/2 then along the hillside for a mile and then again among sand dunes, between which are cultivated areas. Kesang's foot was very swollen and sore, so I cut it open this afternoon, but not with great success I fear. Little pus came out, though the pain is relieved. The sole of his foot is so leathery, that it was with considerable difficulty I could get a razor blade through the skin.

Ludlow joins up with L. & S. Temola

Dzeng
7th September. Halt Dzeng. Went up to the Temo La early in the morning. It takes five hours to reach. Very surprised to meet Ludlow on the way. He has come faster than I expected. We

SUMMARY:
Notes describe packing issues near S. Chöling, hospitality from Ama Ayalmo, and a report that Tenduk collected seedlings up the Drichu-chu. Entries for early November cover travel from Kyimpu to Nyeron and on to Chayul Dzong with seed collecting (including Gentiana waltonii, Primula spp., and a new Fritillaria), weather observations, and dealings with Dzongpens and passports.

CONTENT:
81

About S. Chöling ran as far as Chunchar. It was hard on them having to do this, they should have been told to leave what they had at S. Chöling with Ama Ayalmo. She has been very kind to us all. I had a large feed with her this morning when starting off. I hear from Tarlur that Tenduk went up the Drichu-chu and was successful in getting good seedlings of Meconopsis sherriffii and also a good haul of seed, as well as some Primula cawdoriana and Primula jucunda? .

2nd November. To Kyimpu. Fine. Clouded all night, rain at 2.0 pm. Got a good collection of Gentiana waltonii (6652) 6 packets, and Primula jaffreyana 2 packets. Rhododendron lanatum var. luciferum has set no seed at all this year. From a hundred capsules or more, we got a dozen seed. Little snow on the Drichu-chu, or up these hills. Collected some more Codonopsis vinciflora, the tubers locally called KIBU eaten.

3rd November. To NYERON. Fine bright all day. No clouds after crossing the Lela. There were low clouds last night, and a good deal of fresh snow on the Main Range. This is the first really clear day we have had, and are obviously in the dry zone now. The atmosphere is as dry as it could be, and already my nails are beginning to split. Left camp about 7.0 am; in at 4.0 pm, but about 4 miles further on than Ayandro, where locals are scarce. After a long search I found about 7 capsules of the new Fritillaria on the Lela, but only one bulb. The ground was frozen under the surface, and made it difficult to dig up bulbs. We also got some Gentiana amoena forma pallida, which showed very large capsules. The capsules of the Fritillaria are squat; about 1/2" high, the bulb is quite white, and 2"-3" below the surface. Primula consocia had thrown all its seed. We got another 3 packets of Gentiana waltonii, so I now have eleven. A man from Tsona told us in Kyimpu that Tarlur was not well in Chayul Dzong, but had gone on. I do hope he gets over the Pö La alright. After that he should have no great trouble. I hardly expect to get any seed from now on until we reach the Nyam Sang Chu, which I hope will be on the 12th.

4th November. Chayul Dzong. Rather a late start, in at 12 noon. There are two Dzongpens here, one of whom is the old one of 1936. He seems very happy and does not worry about us in the least. The other one wants to see our passport, which I'm sure Pinko must have shown when Ludlow was here. Wind very strong up the valley here. Found a few Primula tibetica seed on the way.

SUMMARY:
Notes describe a distinctive blue flower and, at Sanga Chöling, a lovely day interrupted by a hailstorm while collecting seeds of several species. The party met Pemako people who encouraged a southern approach, camped in the same garden where an incarnation welcomed them with tea and peaches, and heard mail was in Tsona with plans to send a man. The following day was a halt for letter writing and drying seeds, with Gentiana specimens noted for specific passes.

CONTENT:
not seen before. The blue is not intense, but clear, & the plicae show up a more lilac blue, quite distinct from the lobes. It opens well out to a [T-shape] shape, & though stumpy, is very pretty. It grows more or less singly, but has up to 4 flowers on a scape.

21st Sept. Sanga Chöling. 10 m. 10900'. A lovely day, with a very bad hailstorm in between sun & clear sky. We all dawdled down here,
Gen. veitchiorum 2596 G. waltonii 2597 Cyananthus incanus 2593
only getting in at 4.0pm. spending the time collecting seed. A few expected things were not ripe, like Prim. pulchelloides, & the big androsace. But we got some of P. szechuanica, P. tibetica, the pretty, dry zone iris, & two salvias. Met the same Pemako people who were here with us last, & they again affirmed how ready they would be if we were to go to Pemako, from the South or North. They favored the South & said it was much easier that way, - they could come down much near the plains. They seem a very nice lot. Camped in the same garden, & were met by this incarnation with tea & peaches. No sign of a mail, but we hear it is in Tsona & intend sending a man off in a couple of days.
Sanga Chöling

22nd September Halt. A lovely day, no rain. Wrote letters & dried seeds etc.
Gentiana urnula for Traka La 2704, G. algida for Sokpo La 2705 2707
" waltonii for Shirap

SUMMARY:
The diary notes arrival at Sanga Chöling after severe cold, the first fine day in some time, active seed collecting and drying of specimens, and a letter from Ludlow with specimen numbers. It records news of Tarka’s party (with Tendrup and Tsering), plans to proceed via Tsona toward Trashigang, kindness from Ashi Gyelmo, and missing photo enlargements likely held by the Kharpon Dzongpon. The party then marches to Charme with transport arranged, while men sent with rice by the HH of Bhutan fail to locate them.

CONTENT:
be glad to reach Sanga Chöling tomorrow. I purposely took no riding ponies today, as it was far too cold to ride, and would be dangerous, but Simba got on a spare pony till I spotted him, by which time he was almost too cold to walk. Everyone laughed at him, which certainly did him good.

29th October. Sanga Chöling. Fine at last. Our first day without rain or snow since leaving the Loka, we are all very glad to have it. It is reasonably warm down here too, though a strong wind blows all day. Got seed of Gentiana waltonii; Primula jaffreyana var. hyacinthina, & 2 Dracocephalums. Found a letter from Ludlow & R. vellereum 6645, Dracocephalum hemsleyanum 6646, Frac. 6647.
Tarka here: they left on 21st & seemed in good form, & have got a fine lot of seeds, more probably than I have since we last saw each other. But of course Tarka has both Tendrup & Tsering with him, & although rainy in Tsari, they had no snow. Tarka sent off Tendrup for seed & seedlings of Meconopsis sherriffii, to the Drichung La, so I will not have to go up there either. We will stop here two days & then go on without a halt to Tsona if possible, reaching there I hope on the 11th Nov. If Pemba is there, I hope I may then be able to send off Tarka's mail so as to catch him still in India. Ashi Gyelmo has been very kind, & provided a hot lunch of gyathuk on our arrival, & has sent potatoes & other things down already. She is a kind soul. The peach, Ludlow said, looked awful, covered in kutch. But she must have been taken unawares, as she has now a clean face & is as much a peach as ever. The enlargements I took of her have never turned up. The Kharpon Dzongpon must have them still.

30th & 31st October. Halt Sanga Chöling. Fine: clouded at night. Bright sun & strong wind during the day. Spent these days in camp, repacked roots of primulas, got out the dry specimens & got seeds all dried. The air is very dry indeed, & everything was soon dry.

1st Nov. To Charme. We got a letter sent on about transport, so had no difficulties with changes today, & got to Charme by noon. Dry & sunny with a very strong cold wind up the valley. Clouds over the main range, & a lot of snow on the hills south of Kaprang, but we don't see any up towards the La. I hope now to go through to Trashigang without a stop, eleven days to Tsona, & another 6 or 7 from there on to Trashigang. HH of Bhutan sent four men with rice to meet us, but did not know where we were, these poor people spent a long time wandering

SUMMARY:
Page lists specimen numbers and taxa with collection sites including Ralala, Lasiak, Chusam, Bum La, Sangacholing Kympu, Shas, Kechen La, and Tawang, with dates ranging from 21/09/1936 to 14/11/1936. Notes indicate some number ranges with instructions to see the Book for species details.

CONTENT:
2795 Gentianaceae sp. Ralala. 7/11 7 Lasiak (perhaps 2455) Ralala. 7/11
2044 Primula welshii 30 10. Chusam. 14/11 2531 Meconopsis argemonetta. Bum La. 31/10
Gentiana waltonii. Sangacholing Kympu. 2597. 30.10.36. 21/9 2820 Primula sapphirina. Shas. 10/11
2821 Primula tenuiloba. Kechen La 10/11 2822 Gentiana (Lomatogonium brachyantherum) like 2724. Shas. 10/11
2823 Gentiana ornata. Shas. 10/11 2824 Rhododendron anthopogon Kechen La 10/11

2601 - 2700 with a few exceptions (see Book for spp.)
27 - 27 see Book. Field notes.
2801 - 28 see Book -- --

2825 Rhododendron arboreum? Tawang 11/11 2826 Rhododendron thomsonii O leaf. Tawang 11/11
2827 Rhododendron

SUMMARY:
The party travels along the Yamdrok Tso via Pede toward Kamba Padze and on to Gorkar Dzong, enjoying mostly fine weather, abundant birdlife, and striking lake and mountain scenery. They change transport at Tamalung, collect seeds of several plants, and cross the Khamba La after a brief blizzard; Daud struggles with the rigors of the journey while Puitro secures animals for the pass.

CONTENT:
We put up in a house which was quite clean, and had a brazier in the room. All very comfortable, and really a most excellent day. Daud went off the deep end, and staggered everybody; he told us he couldn't manage on a show like this. I thought he was being badly treated by the others, but it seems he is just not used to this, and it is a bit too much for him.

17th March. Pede. 15 miles. To alt 14400' ap. Another perfect day: in fact I cannot remember a nicer one. The Yamdrok Tso was beautiful—a wonderful blue-green colour. The sky a perfect blue—as one only gets in Tibet. The path follows close to the lake the whole way, and I walked along the edge nearly all the way. We saw thousands of duck, geese, teal & some gulls—the greater black-headed gull, Larus ichthyaetus, & L. brunnicephalus, the brown-headed gull. Also a few black-necked cranes. I took a whole film of Kodachrome for Pan, mostly of birds, and hope they will turn out well. In the evening it clouded over, but that did not matter. A grand day altogether. Stopped in a poor house in Pede. This road, from Nangartse on, is new to us.

18th March. Kamba Padze. 18 miles. To alt 12000' ap. Clouded in the morning. Shortly after starting we had a blizzard, but it only lasted half an hour, then the sun came out again. The path lies along the lake side again till 12. The Yamdrok Tso was frozen right over for several miles, then clear again. As soon as the sun appeared, we could hear the ice cracking, and that went on till the clouds obscured the sun. There is more sign of vegetation on the hills here, & we saw a great deal of Gentiana waltonii, a good deal of Incarvillea lutea (?) & a very little of a primula which from the dead leaves looks like P. jaffreyana. Some seed of all were collected. At 12 the path leaves the lake & climbs a little to a village, Tamalung, where transport is changed. Here they wanted us to stay the night, but we were determined to get over the pass to warmer climes. After a two hour wait Puitro managed to get 20 animals to cross. The rest are to follow tomorrow. The climb to the Khamba La is easy & the Pass is reached at 13 1/2. From the top the Tsangpo can be seen, the descent is very steep & direct into the side valley in which Kampa Padze is situated. We again spent the night in a house, with no ill effects.

19th March. Gorkar Dzong. 11 miles. To Kongka Dzong. A perfect day, no clouds or wind. The Tsangpo is a

SUMMARY:
Notes on seed collections of Incarvillea sp., Primula sp., and Gentiana waltonii near Yamdrok Tso, including locations between Pede and a nearby village. Seeds were packed on 21/03/1938, handed to Bunkaneer at Chira, and sent to R.B.G Edin.

CONTENT:
Yamdrok Tso

3584. Incarvillea sp (lutea?). Fairly common between Pede & next village. SEED taken. } Packed on 21.3.38 &
3585. Primula sp (jaffreyana?). Only seen in one place. SEED taken. } handed to Bunkaneer at
3586. Gentiana waltonii. Common. SEED taken. } Chira. Sent to R.B.G Edin.

Yamdrok Tso