Showing 65 results

SUMMARY:
Travel from Zangthang included cold, wind, and intermittent sun, with a lama accompanying for part of the route to collect seeds of meconopsis, thalictrum, and primulas. Gentians were found near Tulung La, and on the following day a fine white gentian was collected at the summit of Dza La, while Sherriff walked the whole way in improved weather.

CONTENT:
lighting a cigarette, the flap of a waterproof, or another yak appearing from behind are all enough to send him all over the place.

To Sherriff walked the whole way - L. Yakid
9th August. ZANGTHANG. 8 miles. 15,374'. Left in rain, but it gradually cleared up, and we had some sun here, as well as rain. Very cold here with a strong wind.

Took the lama with me for another five miles. Bagged four lots of the little blue meconopsis (708) and showed him some more, also wee horridula. I think he will manage to collect a good many seeds. He is supposed to try to get the thalictrum 710, meconopsis 708, white meconopsis, a blue (shao) mec. + two primulas, besides anything else he can manage to find. Found a few gentians near the Tulung La, and wanted to photo them on arrival here, but the wind was very strong and the water horribly cold. Results not too good, especially as all the gentians shut up in the cold.

10th August. GVI. 15,853'. 9 miles. Sherriff walked the whole way. A fine day at last with no rain, a great and very pleasant change. Left at 6.30 in at 1.0 pm. View quite good but not impressive. Got a very fine white gentian, growing only on the Dza La at the summit of the pass 17,000' (789). Other gentians also out, very

SUMMARY:
In heavy rain, the party ascends from Omta Tso past Thita Tso to Thampe La (~16,000 ft) and descends to Thampe beside Thampe Tso, noting bearings and that Thampe Tso drains east to the Mangde Chu. Primula 3383 occurs near the pass, with masses of P. pusilla and common P. hopeana. The following day is a rainy halt with sleet, and a short valley exploration reveals another lake.

CONTENT:
Toke Maru or Rinchen Chu

6th July. Thampe La. 4 miles. B.P. 187.0°. Temp. 51°. Time 3:00 p.m.

Rained all night, and very hard all day today. Path climbs steeply for ½ mile from the Omta Tso on the left bank of the river, which comes down in a waterfall. At ½ mile, another lake, the Thita Tso, is met. This is about ½ mile long and 300–400 yards across, surrounded by steep hills. The path keeps to the west of this, and at the NE end, begins to climb to the Thampe La, which is about 16,000 ft. Bearings of the nala, the Rinchen Chu, are about 240°, and on the north side 65°M. Descent easy with cliffs on both sides to Thampe at mile 4. Thampe is a grassy clearing beside the Thampe Tso, another lake about 300 yards each way. The water on the north side of the Thampe Tso flows down east to the Mangde Chu. Primula 3383 was growing to within a mile of the pass or less, always on open ground. We found nothing new here in that line. P. pusilla is in masses, coloring the hillside blue. P. hopeana also very common.

7th July. Halt. Rain all night and day. On the hilltops it was very cold and sleet fell all morning. We went up a valley lying at about 170°M from Thampe. There is a sheep's track. On the other side of the ridge—about 1½ miles—at about the same altitude as this place, is yet another lake, about 500 x 300 yards.

SUMMARY:
The diarist spoke with Tibetans, mostly from Tsona, who make wooden bowls and snuff boxes and report that Tsari is good for flowers. The page records Kingdon Ward’s route through numerous passes and places and his recommendations for rich collecting areas near Chayul Dz, the Lore Chu, Tsari, and Takpa Shiri, noting a Primula on Targa La and seeds of Karta iris and Dracocephalum.

CONTENT:
been here. Today we went & talked to some Tibetans, of
whom there are a number. Mostly come from Tsona, &
spent the spring here turning wooden bowls which they
sell for 1 tankha. Some make snuff boxes too. Nearly
everyone seems to have been to Tsari sometime, & a
number of people say it is a good place for flowers.

Kingdon Ward's route was over the Tulung La & Pen La -
Karta - Chayul - Trön - Drichung La - Charme - Sanga Chöling -
Cha La - Chösam - Chikchar - Migyitun - Bimba La, Kyimdong
to Pome & back much the same way. He says - 'the
country E & N of Chayul Dz is very rich. I got an adequate
idea of the vegetation throughout, but not of the flora. ---
I suggest as good collecting places, the N face of the
main Himalaya reached from a village on the right
bank of the Lore Chu a few miles below Chayul Dz,
just after crossing the bridge; & the whole of Tsari,
especially the valleys on the south side of Takpa Shiri.
--- There is a beautiful new Sikkimensis Primula on
the Targa La of which I did not get seed. I did get seed
of the Karta iris, a fine blue Dracocephalum above

SUMMARY:
Botanical observations near camp included Cremanthodium, P. littledalei, Meconopsis integrifolia, and saxifrages. After leaving the Thira La, Taylor returned to the Gyanda Chu and the party halted at Chomo Dzong to collect coracles and cross the river, observing barley harvesting and local papermaking, before abandoning a planned route from Kyakden to the Rong Chu and proceeding to Dzeng on the Tsangpo, where Primula and Gentiana waltoni were noted.

CONTENT:
Near our camp were very fine. On the high rocky slopes were several species of Cremanthodium, we saw here more fruiting plants of P. littledalei than anywhere else, always growing among boulder scree, or at the foot of cliffs, in crevices protected from rain: a few were still in flower. Beside them grew Meconopsis integrifolia, some still with an odd flower on them. Saxifrages too were common here, the prettiest perhaps being a little wine red one only once seen, Saxifraga (No. 6).

Leaving the Thira La, Taylor returned to the Gyanda Chu, by a valley further North which entered the Gyanda Chu at Chomo Dzong. Here we had to halt a day while coracles were collected to ferry us across the river to the right bank. Barley crops were now ripe and we watched the Tibetans collecting the heads by putting two canes together and drawing them up the straws, pulling the heads off, while leaving the straw standing. Later on we watched the more dangerous method used in cutting the straw. In a small field a dozen or more men stripped to the waist, were let loose with murderous looking scythes on long handles. These were not wielded in the sedate way they are at home, but to the tunes of shouted songs were wildly swung over the left shoulder and head before being brought down in a sweep worthy of a professional golfer. The men did not advance in line, but wandered about where they fancied. Another occupation in which the people of Chomo Dzong were busy, was paper making, we watched this very simple and efficient manufacture from the peeling of the Daphne bark to the setting out of the cloth trays to dry in the air.

Unfortunately we could not manage the proposed trip from Kyakden over the hills to the East into the Rong Chu valley and had to turn down the river to Dzeng on the Tsangpo. Primula was seen on these dry slopes near the valley bed and Gentiana waltoni now appeared on an open dry hillside.

SUMMARY:
The diarist travels down from the Lao La to Ritang and on to Trashidinka in the Tang Chu valley, noting dense forest, steep side valleys, masses of Lilium giganteum, rain, leeches, and a painful leg. At Ritang there is a mail mix-up involving a box of tankhas exchanged by the Maharaja, and later the party camps on the Pele La Range east of the Tang Chu; the Tang Chu area is noted as rich in Primulas.

CONTENT:
NB. Tang Chu area rich in Primulas (nos 5-10).

5th June. Camp in Tang Chu valley at Trashidinka, 9 miles. Ht. approx 9000'. (Trashidinka).

Fine till 3.0pm, then rain. Path drops pretty steeply on north side of the Lao La, and continues through dense forest. At m 3 it reaches the main E to W route 1/2 m to the E of Ritang. This is followed down to Ritang at m 3 1/2. Thence path keeps up the L bank of the Tang Chu, winding about a good deal and climbing up and down. Two side valleys are crossed, the second a very steep sided one, and the path keeps gradually up to the village of Trashidinka. Just opposite this, a big valley enters the R. bank of the Tang Chu. // We had a long wait at Ritang, and while there a mail arrived, having taken 18 days I believe. There we heard another mail had gone on "for the Gangtok sahibs". Pimbo thought it was not right, so called the man back, and it turned out to be a box with tankhas which the Maharaja had exchanged for my rupees. It was addressed clearly enough to the "flower collecting sahib wherever he may be", but no one could read the writing. Beyond Ritang we saw masses of Lilium giganteum. Rain came on here, so did leeches, flies and dimdams. It's a pretty foul place, but ahead looks excellent. My left leg has been very painful for three days now, but I don't know any reason for it, so can do nothing. Very glad to get news of Ludlow again.

6th June. Camp on Pele La Range E of Tang Chu. B.P. 190.5 T. 54°. 5.0pm. (up to 15,000 ft)

SUMMARY:
Page lists plant taxa with collection numbers and notes such as old seed and 2nd sending. Localities mentioned include Hsiu Lai La and Pampasung, with one entry noting an elevation of 15500 feet.

CONTENT:
18957 Primula atrodentata.
20123 Prunus rufula. 2nd sending.
19595 Cotoneaster sp. Hsiu Lai La
19592 Vaccinium sp. Hsiu Lai La.
19280 Streptopus simplex
16161 Adonis sp. yellow.
19614 Myricaria sp.
16014 Berberis sp.
16012 Acer sp.
16013 Rosa macrophylla
19620 Codonopsis sp. nov.
19570 Viburnum (Pampasung)
18685 Euphorbia
20963 Ribes. Currant. = 18692. black.
20902 Omphalogramma sp. old seed.
16279 Meconopsis discigera old seed
16709 Meconopsis sherriffii old seed
(2) 16685 Primula
20964 Primula smithiana = 20937
16266 Thermopsis barbata.
16296 Fritillaria sp. 15500'
20921 Iris decora
19545 Raspberry.
19548 Raspberry
19549 Raspberry
18800 Clintonia alpina
19280 Streptopus simplex

SUMMARY:
Brief notes record potted 'Little mec' (no. 728) and 'White mec' (no. 659), a Cypripedium with a primula, and seed of Rhod. rhabdotum (no. 583), with a 2 ft measurement noted. Tulungla is referenced in connection with 'Little mec.'

CONTENT:
Potted - Little mec 728 -
White mec - 659 -
Cypripedium with a primula -
Little mec Tulungla -
Seed of Rhod. rhabdotum No. 583

2ft

SUMMARY:
The diarist and Tsongpen crossed a snow-covered pass while sending the coolies back, finding visibility poor and conditions unsafe, but managed to collect some seed and a large plant of a petiolaris primula. Despite bright sun south of the Chayul Chu, the camp remained in heavy wind and snowfall, making further attempts impractical without several clear days.

CONTENT:
However the sun was soon out, and I had hopes of it melting the snow and making the Kashongha easy enough. The sky was bright blue and clear to the South of the Chayul Chu. I reached the pass, with Tsongpen at 10.0, in bright sun, but on the other side was thick mist, with some snow falling. The pass had 2 feet of fresh snow, and was not too easy or even too safe. So I sent the coolies back to a nala bed about 2 miles west: They had reached within 300 feet of the pass, but would have had great difficulty in getting further. Tsongpen and I went on over the pass, but it was difficult to see anything. All flowers were covered with a thick coating of snow, and I knew we could do little, but try for the yellow primula. This proves, as I thought, to be a petiolaris primula, but we took what seed we could find and one fine big plant with a good clod of earth. Unless it clears up for three days running, it will be no use going over again, a great pity. It is doubly annoying, as the snow in the day, only reaches a mile North of the main range, beyond which is bright sun. Here in camp it snows all day, but we are just on the edge of the sunshine too. Wind is awful here, driving a heavy fall of snow which will lie at night. On the Kashongha we could see and feel it snowing hard.

SUMMARY:
The writer instructs Chengala of Dengchung to show a plant to Betty and collect seeds of several trees, including one used locally for yellow dye, with earlier material taken at Panghar. After a strenuous day crossing the Rip La, the diarist visits the half sisters of H.H., two of whom come to the tent, and later receives a letter from Betty while expressing concern about Hicks.

CONTENT:
they have flowers in whorls. And the flowers of this one (18806) are not yet out, but already the second whorl is 1 1/2" above the first. So I can't think what it is. We have not got good specimens as regards flowers, but I hope we will get seed alright as it is on Betty's route. I have left instructions with the man of Dengchung called Chengala that he must show this to Betty & get seed. He has also to collect seed of another tree which I took at Panghar, with attractive Daphne like flowers, from the leaves of which the locals make a good yellow dye, used in all their clothes. So Chengala has to get seed if possible of the following:- "Trali shing" (Styrax hookeri) 18802. "Pumpa shing", probably Viburnum erubescens 18706. The new mother primula (18806) and the tree used for dye (Daphniphyllum himalayense) (18733). I have given him a letter.

There were no flower excitements during the rest of the day, but we climbed to the Rip La, certainly 3000', then dropped a similar amount on the W. side, & finally climbed a good 2000 or 2500' up here. I should think we have climbed or dropped nearly 11000 ft. today, & the same coolies did it all. This is the home of the half sisters of H.H. There are three. They sent their mule down for me. One is a leper in such a bad way that she can't appear. The other two came to my tent & for 2 hours I had to do my best by myself to talk to them. The elder is also a leper or has lupus - her nose is disappearing - but she is quite nice & reasonably easy to get on with. The other was rather difficult. No sooner had they gone than Betty's letter came & that finished a good day. I fear poor Betty will have a bad time with Hicks, but she will have a good time with flowers. It was very very nice hearing from her, it really seems

SUMMARY:
List of seeds and seedlings, including shipments to Edinburgh from Chungkar and Trashigong, and numerous collections with taxa, locations, and dates. Entries document collections across sites such as Trimo, Kyimpu, and mountain passes, primarily in 1936 with one in 1937.

CONTENT:
SEEDS. etc.

Seed of 552 - 554 sent to Edinburgh from Chungkar.
Seedlings of 1166 (Pistacia chinensis) - Gentian amoena. Edinburgh from Trashigong.

Seeds of 1193 (Phengme, R. nivale), 1257? (Pangchen, R. neriiflorum), 1264 (Pangchen, R. glabrescens), 1285 (Lepo, R. baileyi)
1306 (Trimo, R. wallichii), 1316 (Loro Chu Valley, R. lacteum), 1374 (Tremo, Gentian), 1376 (Lung, Primula luteola), 1568 (Le La, Rh. falconeri ser.)
1327 (Kap, Primula), 1328 (Kap, Rhododendron) Edinburgh 12. 5. 36.

2312 (Philadelphus coronarius) Shrub. 5-10' white 4 pts. Nakampa 2/7/36
2316 (Sene exalata) Aquilegia. Trimo. 8/7/37
2332 (crassum) Rhod. maddenii. Lung. 10/6/36
2342 (Incarvillea lutea, Karu-to) Scrophularia (lily like). Kyimpu. 12/7/36
2364 (Diplarche multiflora) Heath. Kashongha. 14/7/36
2439 (alpina) Pinguicula. Kyimpu. 25/7/36
2441 (capitata) Primula atrodentata. Kyimpu. 26/7/36
1990 (atrodentata) Primula atrodentata. Trashan La. 9/8/36
2049 (P. walshii) Little primula. Choram. 14/8/36
2071 (rosea) Primula not yet out. Tashan La. 15/8/36
2080 (?) Primula (Pet ?). Tashan La. 15/8/36
2081 (tsariensis) Primula (1621?). Tashan La. 15/8/36
2082 (?) - Tashan La. 15/8/36
2090 (Gen. crassuloides) v small gentian. Tsohumang. 18/8/36
2088 Meconopsis simplicifolia. Choram. 16/8/36