Showing 12 results

SUMMARY:
List of plants noted and photographed in mid–late June, including Primula, Meconopsis, Diapensia, Sorbus, Cypripedium, with brief habitat notes (near pass, lake at pass, on cliff). Entries detail frames on Dufaycolor 15–16 and Kodachrome 16, with shipments of Dufaycolor 13–15 and Kodachrome 14–16 sent on 30/06/1949.

CONTENT:
79

B.W. 8.
1 Primula caveana. 18/6
2 " macrophylla & macrocarpa 18/6
3 Meconopsis simplicifolia & snows near pass 20/6
4 " " sp. strumosa. 20/6
5 " " & lake at pass. 20/6
6 Primula bellidifolia 21/6
7 Diapensia himalaicum. 22/6
8 Primula sapphirina 23/6
9 Primula caveana. 25/6
10 Primula pusilla ?? close 25/6
11 Sorbus 19235 26/6
12 Primula bellidifolia 27/6

Dufaycolor 15
1 Diapensia himalaicum 22/6
2 Meconopsis horridula "
3 Primula sapphirina 23/6
4 Primula caveana 25/6
5 } Sorbus urania? 19235.
6 }

D. 13, 14, 15 sent 30.6.49

Dufaycolor 16
1 Primula bellidifolia 27/6
2 Cypripedium tibeticum "
3 Primula umbratilis "
(Sent in batch 15)
4
5
6

Kodachrome 16.
Diapensia himalaicum. 22/6
(some blanks, stuck film)
Meconopsis horridula 22/6
Primula caveana 2 shots 25/6
Meconopsis simplicifolia & Rhododendron anthopogon 25/6
Primula umbratilis on cliff. 27/6

Kodachrome 14, 15, 16 sent 30.6.49

SUMMARY:
The diarist records alpine plant finds along a high, windy ridge, including Diapensia, several Primula, Paraquilegia anemonoides, Rhododendron anthopogon, and a Meconopsis bella with a 56-inch taproot. On reaching Camp Changsethang, they note rain, brief sunshine, a steep drop past Thampe Tso into forest, and encountering an unfordable river.

CONTENT:
73

There were huts down there too, occupied I think, by shepherds.

We followed close to the ridge, along to the north, and came across a few things. Diapensia (Diapensia himalaica 3392, 3398) is very common, as are Primula hopeana, P. pusilla and P. sapphirina. The best find was a primula (Paraquilegia anemonoides 3399), which again makes me doubt some of our others. This one seems more like P. umbratilis (3394) than the one we got on the Dungshinggang. It (Rhododendron anthopogon 3400) may be possible that that one, P. chasmophila (3301), may be new. It was most horribly cold right up on the ridge between 15,500 and 16,000; there was a fairly strong wind. I took one Meconopsis bella (3395) to photograph, but was unable to do so. I pulled it out of a crack in a rock face. The crack was less than an inch across. After easing the plant, it came away quite nicely, and showed a taproot which measured exactly 56"!

(14,200 ft.) 8th July. Camp Changsethang. 8 miles. B.P. 186.8° Temp. 60° Time 3:30 p.m.

Rained all night and only a little during the day: we had sunshine for about an hour, a very pleasant change. After passing the Thampe Tso, the path drops very steeply among rocks and boulders to a big cliff at mile 1 1/2. From here on it is more or less level through Abies and Rhododendron forest to mile 3, where the river is met. It is a big stream and quite unfordable.

SUMMARY:
The diarist parts from Betty in heavy rain and reaches Ha after a fast five-hour journey, then halts there with very wet conditions from 18–20 August, attempting fishing with limited success and noting few flowers at this altitude. Letters mention Betty’s route toward Bumthang, Changu, Karponang, and Kalimpong, and the diarist suspects H.H. has held back missing mail.

CONTENT:
Cyananthus lobatus is in full flower too, and several Saxifrages and even Primula pusilla. When we left each other at 10:30, Betty to go on to India, or to return to Bumthang, the rain came down in solid sheets. With me it continued till after I reached Ha, which took 5 hours going fast. It was very sad leaving Betty, and I know she felt it very much not being able to finish her trip right in the seed collecting. She will have a very busy 2 1/2 months now till she flies back at the end of October—just as busy as we will have here I think.

18-19-20 August. Halt. Ha. All days very wet, either here or up the valley, or everywhere. River very full indeed, fuller than any high water marks on 18th and much discoloured. I tried fishing but could touch nothing at all that day. Other days fishing fair, but I have seen no fish over 1 1/2 lb, except on 19th one of perhaps 2 1/2 lb came to my fly—the only big fish seen. Ludlow would have called that a small fish in May. It seems that the time for fishing here is certainly not in the wettest part of the monsoon. Probably the best months are April, May, June and September. Got a letter back from Betty to say she reached Bumthang all right, but obviously very wet. She will now be on her way from Changu to Karponang, and in Kalimpong tomorrow, all being well. It has been very nice here, but one wants someone else to enjoy the place with. There are few flowers left at this altitude now, and so little interest except fishing. No news still of the missing mail. I think H.H. must have kept it till I return. Had a letter from him, but no mention of the mail in it.

SUMMARY:
The diarist records abundant Primula species near camp between two passes on the way to Wangchelabh, noting P. stirtoniana (No. 3258), P. obliqua (3257), and others, with P. umbratilis not yet flowering and a small nivalis primula of special interest. During a halt at Tsophu and Dungchewang they experienced rain and thunder with brief views of snow mountains toward Tibet.

CONTENT:
Rhododendron Primulas 57

...stream falls down to camp. I found Primula stirtoniana growing well No. 3258. Later on, very close to camp, we saw masses of P. obliqua, which really is a beauty 3257. It is pure white, with a yellow eye. I see one this evening which is quite definitely pink tinged. P. umbratilis (?) is coming on, but will not be in flower for a month at least. P. strumosa is everywhere, as are P. roylei, P. macrophylla and P. glabra. P. hopeana is just coming into flower. On the whole a very good day. This camp is between the two passes on the way to Wangchelabh.

17th June. Halt. Tsophu. Dungchewang. Rain and thunder most of the night, and cloudy all day, but fine except for a few showers. Rain and thunder again at 6:00 pm. We were just clear of clouds early this morning, and could see the white line of snow mountains to the N for an hour or two. They looked perfectly wonderful, but were not in sunshine. The sky was clear in Tibet, but clouded up to the main range. Rather a disappointing day. Primulas there are, in masses. The following are common: P. hopeana, P. roylei, P. macrophylla, P. glabra, P. strumosa, P. stirtoniana (3258), P. atrodentata, P. obliqua and P. pusilla (3270). P. umbratilis (not in flower, 3213). The only thing of real interest, was a very small nivalis primula,

CONTENT:
now a good many yaks at the Thiba Tso, as also on the way up to Changsethang. Below the cliffs on the N side, there were just masses of flowers: Primulas hopeana, pusilla, roylei, atrodentata, sapphirina, 3383 & glabra: Meconopsis bella, horridula & paniculata; geraniums, saxifrages, salvias, & many more. It was all very pretty, & the big cushions of Androsaces make it look nicer than ever.

13th July. Chore. 6 miles. BP. 18.67 Temp. 57° Time 2.0pm. Ht. 15000 odd.
One of the nicest days I have ever had. Except for one shower, it was fine till 3.0pm when we came in. I have come on with only 8 loads, Tenduk & Son open: the remainder of the kit has gone down direct to Ram thang. The path leads up West of Thiba Tso, then keeps SE of the ridge which separates the Tang Chu & Rinchen Chu, at about 15500 - 16000 ft. We first saw a lot of 3383, it certainly is a beauty. When I stopped to admire that, I was standing on a primula very like P. menziesiana, but which seems different (No 3438.) There also was Gent. phyllocalyx in plenty. I have never seen so many alpines out together as on this march. In places the hillsides & cliffs were just covered with them, & the variety was great. At about 2 miles we came to a little grassy hollow & here we found the most extraordinary collection of coloured primulas. There must have

CONTENT:
26th May. Halt. Again mostly fine, but not clear, and showers through the day. I had a rotten night again; Omnopon made no difference at all to me. But this morning I had no fever at all and felt much better, so went out to the nearest cliffs into Ngudup. There we found a small Daphne shrub with reddish flowers (Daphne retusa 18973), an Androsace nearly out and of a very rich tone (Androsace strigillosa 18974), a fine cushion Saxifraga 18972 (Saxifraga stenophylla sp. nov.?), a small Berberis (Berberis parisepala 18975), and one or two other little things. But what pleased me most was that I saw a lot of another Primula, completely dry and not started in any way to start growth. This was on cliff ledges, or under jutting out rocks. There is a great deal of it and it is certainly a Soldanelloidae Section Primula. I guess it to be P. eburnea. It will not be in flower for 2 months, I'm sure.

Pasang and Mundrin were also out and got a few things; Pasang getting P. sikkimensis in full flower. That makes one think this bit where we are in camp must be very late for some reason: dryness, wind, or something else. I took the .410 out today and got a couple of snow pigeons. They are very tame, but would not line up to let me get several with one shot, so I enjoyed myself and took them flying. We have prepared our loads to go on with locals when we want to. The Sokpon will look after the rest for us here.

27th May. Halt. Rain and sun mixed, but never very heavy rain, nor for very long. We all went out together today up the valley to the West, I on pony back, the rest on foot. We left at 5:30 and were back at 3:30, with, on the whole, a very poor bag of flowers. But I certainly enjoyed it, and may have done so more than I should in consequence. We found no more Primulas, although we covered quite an area at the top limit of the firs. Up there, there should certainly by now have been P. glabra and P. pusilla, but I saw no sign of either, nor of any other than Calderiana (common), P. atrodentata (very common), and P. sikkimensis (just).

CONTENT:
47

Mago 2 Aug
Primula stictocana 751
Gentiana tubiflora 752
Gentiana phyllocalyx 753
Geranium collinum 754
Primula bryophila 801
Primula macrophylla 802
Primula pusilla 803
Lonicera parvifolia 805
Primula bella 806

with us, a few questions. He is a good sort, willing and able to give information about the country etc. etc. He hesitated to answer, and the others were heard to tell him not to tell us the names of camps and passes. Why, I cannot imagine. However he came back and whispered the names later, at the same time asking me not to say he had told me, when we returned to Mago. Leaving camp, there is a stiff climb of 500 ft up the nala bed. Then a more or less horizontal yak path is met and followed south. It is quite good and perfectly easy, gradually climbing to the DEBONG LA in 2 (Approx 14,500'). Thence down to BULUNG, a place used by yak herds on occasion. There is an empty hut here, and a small lake, quite a good camping site. (in 3 1/2). Beyond this the path again climbs fairly steeply to the CHIGUP LA, (same approx height). Descent easy over open grassland to a small plain called CHIGUP NAGA, where there

SUMMARY:
List of Kodachrome and Dufaycolor photographs documenting Primula, Meconopsis, Anemone, Streptopus, Notholirion, and a thistle, with specimen numbers, habitats, and dated entries in June–July. Notes include issues with film ("25 feet stuck. wasted.") and that 12 films were sent in No. 20.

CONTENT: B. W. 11.

1. P. soldanelloides. 13/7
2. P. waddellii. 16/7
3. Meconopsis bella 19437 on cliff with Primula umbratilis 17/6
4. Meconopsis paniculata. "
5. Large thistle. 19467. 20/7
6. P. pusilla. 19469 camp 21/7
8. Anemone rupicola. 21/7
9. Meconopsis paniculata habitat "
10. ~ ~ ~ "
11. Streptopus simplex. 22/7
12. Notholirion macrophyllum 19498 22/7

Kodachrome 22
Primula soldanelloides. 19420 13/7.
Meconopsis horridula. 16/7.
Meconopsis bella 19437 on cliff with Primula umbratilis 17/6
Meconopsis paniculata "
P. hopeana stream. 20/7
P. " red tube. close. "

Kodachrome 23
25 feet stuck. wasted.
P. pusilla. 19469 20/7
Anemone rupicola. 21/7
Meconopsis paniculata habitat. 21/7.

Dufaycolor 19

1. P. macrophylla v. macrocarpa 19423 13/7
2. " " " "
3. P. soldanelloides. 19420 "
4. " " "
5. / / /
6. / / /

Dufaycolor 20 X

1. P. waddellii. 16/7
2. Meconopsis horridula 19436 16/7.
3. Meconopsis bella 19437 on cliff with Primula umbratilis 17/6
4. " " "
5. Meconopsis paniculata. "

Dufaycolor 20 X

1. P. hopeana with red tube 19464 20/7
2. Thistle. 19467 "
3. P. pusilla clump. camp 19469 22/7
4. Meconopsis paniculata habitat. 21/7
6. 12 films sent in No 20.

SUMMARY:
Page lists Primula and other plant specimens with numbers. The 'ROOTS COLLECTED' section records species with day-month dates in September and October, notes such as 'NOT TO BE DIVIDED' and 'ONLY TWO PLANTS', and that Sorbus ursina seed was eaten by caterpillars.

CONTENT:
19836 Primula uniflora.
(2) 19835 " tsariensis (alba).
(3) 19832 " umbratilis (alba).
19842 " tsariensis.

ROOTS COLLECTED.

19309 Androsace white, large cushions. 13.9.
19330 P. Waddellii. 9.9.
19167 P. tenuiloba
19750 (2) P. macrophylla. 16.9.
19235 Sorbus ursina. 19.9. All seed eaten by caterpillars.
19757 Primula strumosa 20.9.
19226 Prim. Caveana white. 21.9
19766 " Caveana. "
19764 Alardia woolly blue violet. "
19767 P. concinna. "
19768 A P. Calderiana x strumosa hybrid blue 22.9 }
B " " " " " } To one place, see for report.
C " " white with dark eye " }
19771 Aconitum sp. v fine. 23.9.
19146 Diapensia himalaica "
19712 Prim. macrophylla v macrocarpa "
19123 Cypripedium tibeticum. 25.9.
19366 Androsace small 4" pink 26/9.
2 19777 = 19378 P. jonardunii. 27/9
19373 P. Waddellii. "
19404 Androsace globifera. 28/9.
19420 Prim. sonchifolia. 29/9.
19128 " umbratilis 30/9 (number not put on).
19716 Alardia wine red. 1/10. NOT TO BE DIVIDED.
19721 Gent. aff amoena 1/10 ONLY TWO PLANTS

19804. Prim. pusilla 3/10
       19544 Thalictrum chelidonii. 13/10
       19574 Prim. flagellaris. 16/10

SUMMARY:
Notes list seed needs and collections with specimen numbers and plant observations (e.g., Meconopsis, Primula, Notholirion) from areas including Tongsa Chu valley, Bumthang, Kyikyi La, Yuto La, and Tongsa-Tashiling. Mentions locations such as a cliff below Mandating and a Yakherd hut, with additional observations near camp.

CONTENT:
Seed wanted from Tongsa Chu valley. From Bumthang
19437 Meconopsis bella cliff below Mandating. Clematis big.
19439 White Androsace. just below there. Honeysuckle " x
19441 ? pink striped flower " Briggsia yellow on trees. x
Notholirion hyacinthinum. at Yakherd hut. Podocarpum. x
19447 Primula geraniifolia
19464 " hopeana - some with red tube.
Fine big Polygonum just beside them.
19467 Big thistle.
Meconopsis horridula.
" sinuata.
19469 Primula pusilla
? glabra.
Anemone rupicola.
Meconopsis horridula.
" sinuata
" bella
Thistle big white.
Iris blue.
19490 Lily x x x
19494 Polygonum fine big flowers. behind rhodo scrub in clearing.
19484 Geranium big flowered same clearing.
19498 Notholirion macrophyllum.
Yellow orchid on rock 100x before camp R side.

Seed from Kyikyi La. Rhododendron ciliatum. Notholirion macrophyllum, Thalictrum chelidonii. 19544.
Yuto La. Big clematis Gaultheria, Streptopus, Smilacina oleracea,
Tongsa-Tashiling. Codonopsis purpurea. Lily. alt. Briggsia White rose

19558. 19559. 19561.