Showing 12 results

SUMMARY:
Notes describe hiring a Lepcha collector named Danon, severe snow and hail at Tsomgo Tso, attempts at fishing and bird collecting, and excellent bungalow provisions. Mentions cine film of the Karponang–Tsomgo road, pressing a primula, caravans struggling in deep snow with losses, and arrangements involving Bombay and a return to Gangtok.

CONTENT:
Ludlow 6. We have a Lepcha-collector called Danon to help us with flowers. He has worked for the Botanical Survey of India and should be very helpful as he knows his flowers thoroughly and even tells us the scientific names of many.

B.1 & 2 good

inches deep. The Tsomgo Tso is free of snow except at the upper end. Ten tufted pochard on the lake. Too wet to try for trout, which were put in by Bailey. The chowkidar (watchman) says he has seen them in summer at the lower end, not at the top. These bungalows are the best I have ever seen. They are equipped with cutlery and crockery, so that one need not open up one's own.

Cine film B.2. 0-45'. Views on the Karponang-Tsomgo road as far as Lagyap La.

There are no stores, except wood. The wood used for burning is chiefly rhododendron, which gives out great heat. Hail and snow here all afternoon, looking bad for tomorrow. Pressed the first flower today - a small primula (P. gracilipes (L & S)). We are using for shooting birds, .22 rifles with dust shot and .410 bores with 2 1/2" cases of dust shot. The former will usually kill up to five yards, the latter to 25".

B.1 & 2 sent Bombay 10th May. Return to Gangtok.

7th May. TSOMGO. Still clouded this morning and fine snow falling. A caravan of mules came down this morning: they had crossed yesterday, and reported having lost two mules and a man. So we decided to stay here. Snow is about 10" deep. It has been thawing all day, but the sun can't get out for any length of time. Tried fishing this morning with fly and frogs. The water was too cold for the frog, and we saw no signs of fish. Shot a few birds. 3.0 pm. A caravan has just come in from 2 miles up the hill. They took nine hours to do the two miles, and yesterday lost two mules, and had to have 40 coolies from Chupitang to help. They report up to seven

B.2. Tsomgo dak bungalow. Tsomgo Tso. A caravan from Tibet arriving at Tsomgo having taken 9 hrs for 2 miles.

SUMMARY:
The diarist notes bodies with bows left beside them and observes alpine flora on nearby snow slopes and streambeds. Accompanied by Langong coolies, they visit the Tsari Sama (Sarpa) pilgrimage area, finding it rich in Primula, Rhododendron, and a new white-flowered Daphne near the pass to Lopa territory. Trashiyang is mentioned as the starting and finishing point of the pilgrimage.

CONTENT:
Beside each body, the owner's bow had been stuck in the ground. All arrows had been taken away, but all their other possessions seemed to have been left intact, even to their meagre rations of food. Near here, at the top of the snow slopes, were vertical cliffs. Tucked away in dust-dry pockets, completely sheltered from rain, were fine clumps of P. littledalei.

A little lower down, at 14,000', the first Meconopsis simplicifolia were coming into flower. Beside this, P. chamaethauma was in flower, and on a steep bank just above this, a little creeping Lonicera, only an inch or two off the ground, showed its yellow flowers. Some of the open swampy flats held masses of a fine Allium (No. ). On stony beds beside streams grow P. macrophylla v. macrocarpa.

There remained, near Langong, one area to visit, that was Tsari Sama. This is a place of pilgrimage, called Tsari Sama or Sarpa—the new Tsari—to distinguish it from the better-known, more important Tsari Chikchar. The Langong coolies were not anxious to go round the pilgrimage, for which I could not blame them. However, they took me, and it was a most interesting trip. As at the Lo La, there is in Tsari Sama a fairly extensive, reasonably open flat bit of country, just north of the immediate Himalayas, gradually rising to a steep rocky ridge. The whole of this area was very rich in flora. This, to a certain extent, can, I think, be put down to the fact that no yaks are kept here in the summer. None of the dwarf rhodos were now in flower, and R. campylogynum (5560), R. trichocladum (5555), R. glaucum (5565). Also 5568.

A Primula not seen elsewhere, P. Kingii covered acres of open ground with its deep wine-coloured blooms, P. laeta, a glorified form of P. Roylei. Primula, P. gracilipes.

Perhaps the most interesting Rhododendron was 5571 (yellow, red spots). Growing among rocks just below the ridge before reaching the pass to Lopa territory, we came across a fine large, white-flowered new Daphne. No seeds.

At Trashiyang, the starting and finishing point of the pilgrimage,

SUMMARY:
After descending in snowy conditions, the writer reached Sakden and collected Gentiana amoena and other material, preparing seeds to send via Trashigong. The following day they halted at Sakden to process seeds and flowers; Lumsden treated patients and cut the writer’s hair, while Ludlow improved the camp with a fireplace in the dining room amid cold nighttime temperatures.

CONTENT:
Sakden 13th March.
Prim. white 1215. P. gracilipes 1216

... in flower down to about 12,500, when it gave out, was replaced by 1166 again. I collected a bit of ground which had a lot of Gentiana amoena on it. No seeds were left in the capsules, but they must be in the ground with the living sprouting roots. I will send them by air if the post leaves Trashigong on our arrival there. I have put it in a tin with a hundred or more holes. Similarly I have tinned some of 1166. There was a lot of snow on the way down. I reached Sakden at 2:00 pm, to find Ludlow and Lumsden very fit. Ludlow had some food birds again, and flowers much the same as I collected.

14th March. Halted Sakden. I only went out for three or four hours this morning, and have been doing up seeds and flowers since. Lumsden has been very busy with patients. However he helped to cut my hair with clippers, and made a good job of his first effort. Here there is the usual village built for us, but Ludlow has added a fireplace in the dining room. It is very fine and a great boon. It is cold at night here. The temp. inside my room 3 ft from the ground was 23° last night. The days are

[Margin notes: Gentiana amoena, Sakden, Juniperus recurva, Tsuga dumosa 1180, Rhod. cavaleriei-florum 1181 1183, Rhod. arboreum 1182]

SUMMARY:
List of Primula specimens with collection numbers and notes on abundance, elevation, and localities across Bhutan in 1949. Mentions collectors identified by initials (B.S, J.H., G.S.) and notes presence or absence around passes and places such as Rip La, Shambling, Tomtom, Sergung La, Takhung, Rudu La, Chenbi Rongang, Dunkhar-Nashima, and Tsampa; notes that some species were not previously collected by L+S.

CONTENT:
xx Never collected by L+S. before.

• .. .. .. in Bhutan ..

Primulas taken 1949

By 18614 P. denticulata. 1 Common all over the country.
B.S 18644 P. bracteosa. 2 Also common on Rip La: Julu: above Shambling:
J.H. 18669 P. filipes? 3xx
G.S. 18673 P. gracilipes 4 v. common near Tomtom.
18675 P. bracteosa v. common at Sergung La beyond Takhung.
18676 P. whitei 5 Not on Rudu La.
18740 P. Normaniana 6
18749 P. filipes 7
18806 P. sp. non mollis 8xx Much more plentiful near Chenbi Rongang.
18809 P. Normaniana
18816 P. mollis Common at Shambling. 6500'-7500'. v. common Dunkhar-Nashima.
18846 P. atrodentata? 9 near atrodentata. No farina. Like No 3636.
18894 P. Hookeri 10 Just before the small pass 2 m E of Rudu La & more W. of the same pass.
18895 P. Calderiana 11
18896 P. elongata. 12 Down steep bit. Along a bit to open where much Calderiana, then common.
18901 P. Smithiana 13
18913 P. geraniifolia 14
18946 P. Barnardoana 15
18947 P. Calderiana All over Tsampa.
18954 P. Calderiana v. alba
18955 P. elongata.
18957 P. atrodentata Everywhere.
18976 P. sikkimensis 16
18981 P. elongata.
19000 A. P. Calderiana
B "
C "

SUMMARY:
The page describes conifer- and rhododendron-dominated terrain and extensive cultivation in the Tang valley, contrasting land use practices with those near Kalimpong. On 15th April, the party traveled from Pimi over the RUDO LA in persistent snow, observed few flowers, and received wine and food sent by Asha Wangmoo at the pass.

CONTENT:
On the way up is Pinus excelsa. Up here there is nothing but conifers & rhododendron. The pines have given place to Spruce (Picea spinulosa 18702) (Bashing), Tsuga (dumosa 18701) (Seshing), Fir (Dungshing) & some Larix (Sasuing) (Rhod. thomsonii 18697). We saw some very nice P. gracilipes — also (15699) Bryocarpum himalaicum just coming into flower. There is a great deal of cultivation in the Tang valley, not only low down in the valley bed, but right up close to where we are here, over 11,000 ft. Our people were amused when we asked the locals about fields which we saw had had buckwheat in them last year. "Would they lie fallow this year?" we asked. "Oh they won't be used for at least 12 years again!" was the answer. The owner just goes to another bit of land. This to anyone near Kalimpong, where land can hardly be got, often at Rs 600/- an acre, was wonderful.

15th April. PIMI. over the RUDO LA (9690, 12600). 5 1/2 hours, 11 miles. A beastly day when we hoped so much for a fine one. It was snowing gently as we left at 5:45 this morning. After a slight ascent, the path is almost level till 4 when a steep ascent brings one to the Rudo La at 11:30. We had a glimpse of blue sky suddenly, & a small patch of sun, but that was all, it snowed all the way otherwise. The wind was cold on top. Our mules were back from there. This side descent very easy for an hour or so, then suddenly the path goes downstairs, & continues downstairs for more than an hour before easing off. The ridge is followed all the way, & for that reason no flowers were seen, except one Rhod. (Rhod. arboreum 18703), & P. Calderiana in fat bud, covered in farina, smelling its usual bad smell. Asha Wangmoo sent wine & food for us to meet us on the pass. Here a great place has been prepared again, against our visit.

SUMMARY:
Page lists film subjects and locations with dates, including crab apple, rhododendron, Primula, and village scenes at Bumthang, Tang, Pokpe, near Lhuntse Dz., and views toward Singhi Dz. from Rip La. Notes include people photographed (Ashe, Wangmoo, and Betty) and film batch dispatches on 15/04/1949 and to Kurizam on 21/04/1949.

CONTENT:
15

B.W. Filmpack 2.

1. Crab apple. hupehensis 18690 Bumthang 12/4
2. Village at Tang. 13/4.
3. Crab apple tree. hupehensis 13/4 18690
4. Rhod. arboreum 13/4.
5. P. gracilipes. Pokpe 14/4
6. Rhod. Madd. Ser. 18720 Griffithianum
7. P. cerasoides v. rubra. 20115
8. Ashe Wangmoo & Betty - 17/4.
9. Village near Lhuntse Dz. 19/4.
10. View to Singhi Dz. from Rip La. 23/4
11. Bryocarpum himalaicum 18744
12. Primula Normaniana. 18740

Dufaycolor 2nd Batch.

1. Crabapple 18690 12/4
2. Crab apple tree " 13/4
3. Rhod. arboreum by river 13/4
4. }
5. } P. gracilipes Pokpe. 14/4.
6. }
   Dufay 1 & 2 sent on 15/4/49.

C.S. 6. Kodachrome.
Crab apple close up 13/4 18690
" " tree. 13/4.
P. gracilipes. Pokpe. 14/4.
Rhod Madd. 18720 (3) Griffithianum
Prunus cerasoides v rubra 20115
Ashe Wangmoo & Betty. 17/4 (Sent Kurizam 21.4.49)
Albizzia Sherriffii. 19/4.
last 10 ft. stuck.

Dufay 3.
1 & 2 Rhod. Madd. Ser. Griffithianum 18720
3 Prunus cerasoides v rubra 20115
4 Bryocarpum himalaicum 18744
5 & 6 Prim. Normaniana 18740

SUMMARY:
At Pangchen the diarist and Ludlow were confined to bed with fever and severe sore throats for several days, while Danong searched nearby with limited success. Several plants are noted, including Clematis montana and various Rhododendron and Primula species, amid intermittent heavy rain. By 3 April they felt weak but ready to move on.

CONTENT:
Pangchen 31 March. Clematis montana 1250. Rhod. edgeworthii 1251
Rhod. epapillatum 1252

L.D. ill at
Pangchen

1st April. Halt. Ludlow and I have spent the last three days
in bed with some kind of a fever and a most awful throat.
I have no idea what it was or why we got it. The
throat has by no means gone yet, but fever nearly has.
Danong has searched round about, but has not found
anything much. Prim. boothii is pretty common in
suitable places, and P. erythrocarpa also. One nice Rhododendron
(Rhod. epapillatum) was found, but only one flower out, 1252. There has
been quite heavy rain on and off these last three days, with
always bright intervals. Probably our throats have
been much the same as Danong and Tsongpen had. Whatever
they are, they are most extremely unpleasant, and I hope we
are both finished with them now.

P. gracilipes
P. erythrocarpa
Rhod. epapillatum
laniflorum 1259
Rhod. grande 1258
Rhod. epapillatum 1260
" arboreum 1261
" triflorum 1262

3rd April. Pangchen. We both feel as if we could
make a move tomorrow though very weak. When walking
we have the feeling of being drunk, but I suppose that is
only weakness. There has not been much to do here,
and I will be glad to get on again where I feel there
will be more flowers. The monsoon almost seems to have
arrived already. It has rained on and off every day we have

by 8/xii
69

SUMMARY:
Entries record travel to Takhte (Takhts) on March 9 and a halt there on March 10, with plant collections including Primula, Rhododendron, and Magnolia specimens numbered 1202–1211.

CONTENT:
$102.2 = 1.0644$
$52 = 1.0444$

$1.0644$
$1.0444$

$1.0644$
$42576$
$42576$
$42576$

$1.11165$

$101.5 = 1.1034$
$41^\circ = 1.0199$

$1.1034$
$1.0199$

$1.1034$
$11034$
$99306$
$99306$

$1.12535$

Ludlow 93.4 March 9. To Takhte or Takhts.
P. dentic. 1202 P. gracilipes 1207
Rh. maddenii 1204. Rh. lindleyi 1205. R. kendrickii 1206.

" 24-25 March 10. Halt at Takhte.
Rh. grande 1208. Rh. camelliiflorum 1209
Mag. campbellii 1211

SUMMARY:
After a clear morning following heavy rain, the party marched up the rocky gorge to Lepo, crossing to the left bank and noting numerous Primula and Rhododendron species; locals were friendly and the plain resembled Pangchen. Rain returned in the afternoon. The next day was a halt at Lepo due to continuous rain, with time spent writing letters.

CONTENT:
Le-Lepo.

5th April. Lepo. B.P. 19.45. Temp. 51°. Time 3.30 pm. Approx ht. 9766. Much to our surprise after an awfully wet day and night the sky was absolutely clear this morning and the day up till about 2.30 perfect. The march up the gorge is pretty. The sides of the valley are very rocky and steep with numerous waterfalls on either side. We crossed to the left bank at 1 and at a waterfall just before the bridge there was masses of P. gracilipes (originally noted as P. Boothii). Before that, quite close to Le, there is a new primula (P. atrodentata 1278), very like P. erythrocarpa (denticulata), but with a white eye. It varies in colour a good deal, in size and beauty. It extends up here too, where it is seen almost side by side with erythrocarpa. Close beside it was a small flowered Rhododendron (Rhd. virgatum 1279). Various other red rhododendrons were seen on the way (including Rhod. Kendrickii 1280, R. arboreum 1281, R. argipeplum 1282, R. Thomsonii 1283, and R. baileyi 1284 & 85). The locals seem quite friendly and willing to help in every way. This is an open plain 300 yards across, not unlike Pangchen. Rain came on at 2.30 and hard at about 4.30 again. The hills are again all clothed in fir and pine, with a good deal of rhododendron lower down.

6th April. Halt at Lepo. It rained all night and rained all day today. A mail came in and I spent most of the day writing letters.

SUMMARY:
At Lepo the party halted for two days; Danong explored a stream from Chio Tso and found masses of Primula, while the diarist noted rhododendrons, firs and larch, and prepared mail. Rain limited finds the next day, though P. Boothii was abundant at waterfalls, and Lumsden took a shot at pintail ducks.

CONTENT:
38

7th April. Halt. Lepo. A lovely morning, fine up till about 4.0 p.m. Danong went up the nala coming from the Chio Tso, found there Primula 1186 in masses; also some unopened specimens of P. Boothii (?) & another primula only in leaf. I went up pretty high opposite camp, but only found the same denticulata-like primula with the white eye. There are a number of rhododendrons out, mostly barbatum & Thomsonii, & some others behind camp which are not yet in bloom. The hills are well covered with a mixture of fir & pine & rhododendron. The fir is a fine one 1286, growing to 100 ft or more. Mail will be sent off in the morning.

8th April. Halt. Lepo. Rain again nearly all day. I spent the morning out, but found nothing of any interest, nor did Danong. P. Boothii is in masses at most waterfalls; it is a fine sight when bunched together in big patches as it is beside water which always splashes it. I took a very fine specimen, 1292. There is a good deal of larch about just coming out now. Saw a few pintail duck & Lumsden had a shot at them. There are

Marginal Notes:
P. atrodentata 1290
P. Whitei 1186, 1291
P. macrophylla 1287
gracilipes 1292
Rh. barbatum
Rh. Thomsonii
Rh. Baileyi 1285
Picea spinulosa
P. gracilipes
P. gracilipes 1292
Larix griffithiana 1295