Showing 6 results

SUMMARY:
The diarist records a snow partridge at the top, unexpected butterflies at high elevation, and several birds including finches (as at Narim Thang), a white-necked blackbird, a grey crested tit, and a red-billed chough amid cold, windy conditions. They note Meconopsis grandis in seed, abundant gentian (no. 1169), and a probable occurrence of M. superba—previously recorded only from Kyu La—with plans to collect its seed.

CONTENT:
results are coming as far as the map is concerned. Coming up I saw nothing much of interest, but at the top was within four yards of a snow partridge (Lerwa lerwa). Then was surprised to see butterflies out at that height. One was seen at the very top and later on I caught 3 further down. Here they are hatching out and quite common. There must be a fine sight of Meconopsis here in summer. M. grandis I saw in seed, and took some. Another with a winter stock of leaves was common, and the local says it was white. It so it must be M. superba, and that would be very interesting as it has only been recorded from the one place in the Kyu La. I am pretty sure that this is superba, and will make arrangements to collect its seed. The little gentian 1169 is everywhere now, and looks very pretty when seen massed together. The same finches as we got at Narim Thang are here in fair numbers (Propasser thura). There is still a wind here and it is beastly cold in it. I can't get out of it either. Other birds seen are the white necked blackbird, a little grey crested tit, with a white collar, light buff underneath, and the red billed chough. I heard sparrows today, but

SUMMARY:
Notes the junction of the Yombu Chu and Mena Chu, with a ruined customs house called Karmi under a cliff and good camping nearby. Describes clear views and snow peaks around the Cho La, map doubts, and Meconopsis observed, then records the stage to Shingbe with elevation and temperature.

CONTENT:
71

At mile 8, where the Yombu Chu comes in from the west, it joins the Mena Chu. About 300' above the junction is a ruined tower and wall under an overhanging cliff on the left bank of the Yombu Chu. This was an old customs house, and is known as Karmi. Camp can be pitched ½ mile up the Yombu Chu on the left bank. Water, fuel and grazing all good.

A lovely day, or rather a tantalising one. It was clear on the Cho La and we had glimpses of a series of snow peaks all round from the South to the West, but never saw the top of the finest, which lies west of the Cho La. The Mena Chu valley is magnificent, thickly wooded on the East side and grassy to the west. Looking back to the Cho La was a grand sight, with the saw-edge ridge with the pass against the sky. I took many bearings from the Cho La, which often merely confused us more and more. The map must be miles out, and I think someone's longitude must be wrong somewhere. On the pass were the Meconopsis horridula, and a few other interesting flowers collected before, but little new of interest. At Karmi were Meconopsis grandis in seed.

22nd August. SHINGBE. 12 miles. Ht. 12756' (BP. 189.3°).
Temp 48°. Path leads up left bank of Yombu.

SUMMARY:
Seed collection list from Meda with specimen numbers, including multiple entries dated Oct 4 and a page heading of Oct 5. Species listed include various Lonicera, Primula, Meconopsis, and Gentiana.

CONTENT:
Meda Oct 5 Seeds

Lonicera glabrata 1009, Oct 4
Thalictrum cultratum 1010 Oct 4
Geranium refractum 1011 Oct 4
Primula dickieana 1012 Oct 4
Berberis himalaica 1013 - typ.
Halenia elliptica 1014
Gentiana elwesii 1015
Delphinium elatum 1016
Gentiana elwesii 1017
Lonicera tomentella v. tsarongensis 1018
Cnicus involucratus 1019
Primula sikkimensis 1020
Meconopsis grandis 1021
Saussurea conica 1022
Lactuca macrantha 1023
Gentiana prolata 1024
Berberis macrosepala var. setifolia 1025
Lonicera parvifolia 1026
Codonopsis nervosa 1027, 1028
Meconopsis simplicifolia 1029
Dracocephalum speciosum 1030
Primula macrophylla 1032
Meconopsis sinuata 1033
Meconopsis horridula 1034
Gentiana phyllocalyx 1035
Cyananthus lobatus 10

SUMMARY:
Notes on Primula and Meconopsis around Nyuksan/Nyaksung La, with messengers from Tawang and plans to go to Mago on 10 July. On 8 July at Sakden, the writer went with Danuong and a Kazi’s servant to Nyaksung La on the Mera road to bag specified Primula and Meconopsis numbers and pot seedlings, noting a scarce primula beneath overhanging rocks.

CONTENT:
18

Nyuksan La
Primula gambeliana (608), top, on the left under rhododendrons. A magnificent Meconopsis is also just below the basti, with Primula No 598 (P. waltonii). Its no. is 600 (Meconopsis grandis). There is also an interesting Primula (612) (P. strumosa), yellow, beneath the firs & rhododendrons short of the top. Danuong went up to a similar height on the Dirang Dzong road, & got very similar flowers. Messengers have come from Tawang, & all seems set for the next move to Mago, where we hope to go on the 10th July.

Nyaksung La
8th July SAKDEN. Went with Danuong again to NYAKSUNG LA, on the Mera road. Took one of the Kazi's servants, & put bags on the following: 598 Primula (P. waltonii) 6 Bags; 600 Meconopsis (Meconopsis grandis) 4 bags; 608 Primula (P. gambeliana) 5 bags; & 612 Primula (P. strumosa) 5 bags. This man is to return in the Bhutanese 8th month to collect the bags.

Megacodon stylophorus 633
Primula elongatoides 634
Primula bellidifolia 635

I have also potted the following seedlings: 598 (P. waltonii) - 4; 608 (P. gambeliana) - 4; 632 (P. strumosa) - 1; 635 (P. bellidifolia) - 1. The latter is an unknown Primula very like P. eburnea & growing in the same situation, under overhanging rocks. It was at the foot of the high cliff 500x short of the Nyaksung La on the Mera road, on the East side of the Pass & to the North of the road. The cliff is 200x away from the road. Only 5 specimens were seen, & all had last year's seed pods intact. These were collected. No more new flowers were seen. No 632 (P. strumosa) is a small

SUMMARY:
The diarist halts at Sakden and ascends toward the Nyuksang La, but cloud prevents views of northern snow peaks; the pass height is recorded. Gentiana amoena is abundant on the Meha and some Primula seed is collected, though many bagged specimens were eaten by sheep or yaks. The Kazi has tended the potted plants, most of which have survived.

CONTENT:
113

[Marginal note: Ludlow p. 149. The Nyuksang La is just a subsidiary pass leading from the Sakden valley into the Mera valley, the latter river emptying into the Gamri Chu above Phongme.]

...of the Meconopsis grandis, a wine-red Primula and perhaps the yellow one too, but I doubt about the blue one. The bags on the latter were all eaten by yaks. The Kazi has looked after the potted plants well enough, and all but two (a saxifrage) are alive.

20th October Halt Sakden. Another grand day, though there were clouds away to the North even early in the morning. I left Sakden at 5.20 and went up to the Nyuksang La. Left the ponies at the hut, and walked up to the North to a peak. But the clouds covered all the view of the snow hills to the north. Although it was very pretty, there was no chance of getting any bearings or even a useful photo. Then walked along the tops to the Nyuksang La, where I took the height (B.P. 187.7 Temp. 55° = Ht. 13766').

[Marginal note: Gentiana amoena 1001]
There were masses of that lovely Gentiana amoena found on the Meha (1001). The locals eat this, either when in flower or dead: it is cooked in ghee and said to be very 'sweet'. I tried to collect seeds up there and found some of Primula No. 602.

[Marginal note: Primula glabra 602]
[Note above text: Primula gambeliana]
The other one 608 (or 611) I could not find. The Kazi did not find the bagged specimens either. All have been eaten by sheep or yaks.

[Note above text: Primula strumosa]
No. 612 could not be found either. It had also been completely cleared by animals, but I have three bags of...

SUMMARY:
Notes plant damage by yaks, collects seed packets of Meconopsis grandis and Primula waltoni, and takes a colour photo of a gentian beside red Berberis. On a halt at Sakden, Ludlow packs birds while the diarist dries and labels seeds; staff health issues are noted for Pintso and Kuntip, and plans are made to look for Rhododendron rhabdotum seedlings near Muktur. Weather is frosty at night with bright sun and wind during the day.

CONTENT:
114

seeds. The yaks have done a lot of damage to all flowers, as I found lower down where the Meconopsis grandis (600) & red Primula waltoni 598 were in such profusion before. All had been trampled down or eaten; with difficulty I collected a packet of each. A perfect evening: we were out from 5:20 am till 3:30 pm. Took one coloured photo of Gentian 1001 growing beside a lovely piece of Berberis which was bright red (603).

21st October. Halt Sakden. Another perfect day. It is not often we don't go out on a day like this. But we have had a day in camp, Ludlow packing birds etc., I drying & labelling seeds. Both of us also bathing, shaving, hair cuts. Pintso seemed a bit off colour yesterday, & Kuntip's feet are so sore he finds difficulty in walking. He says the frost has got into the cracks; it might easily, his feet are cracked all over. This is a most delightful spot in weather like this. We have frost every night & bright sun & a wind all day. Temp. inside at night +3 ft. = 33°. On the way up to Sakden we looked for Rh. rhabdotum seedlings & I think found three or four. Danong will also look for them near Muktur.

22nd October. Halt Sakden. The good days are gradually

[Marginal notes:]
Mec. grandis 600
Prim. waltoni 598
Gen. amoena 1001
Berberis ludlowii var. sakdenensis 604
Contax No 12 finished on Nyaksang & last photo of Sakden.
Rhod. rhabdotum