Showing 10 results

SUMMARY:
The diarist describes local opposition to ascending Dungshigon due to fears of hail damaging crops, noting that Pintso mentioned the Tsari pilgrimage to reassure them. On 15 May at Phobshikha, after variable weather, the party explored a cliff and mountain, recording Primula strumosa (3060), Rhododendron triflorum (3061), masses of Primula winteri (3053), and several rhododendron species.

CONTENT:
going up Dungshigon. That has caused some worry. The locals don't like the idea: let the Sahib go anywhere else, some will gladly take him. But if he goes up Dungshigon, it will bring disaster to us in the form of hail, which will ruin our crops. I'm sorry they thought of that. I must go, but this is the time of hail storms. They are certain to come, and I will be blamed for all the damage they do. Pintso has told them how I did the pilgrimage of Tsari, perhaps that will help.

15th May. Halt Phobshikha. Rain last evening and night. Fine today till 4:00 pm, except for a shower or two, then heavy rain. We went across the valley to a grand looking cliff, and three of us went up by different routes, but the only find was Rhododendron triflorum, 3061.

But on the extreme top of the mountain we found 3060, Primula strumosa. It was just out near the top, but in full flower rather lower down. It grows in moss under Abies and Rhododendron. Up there Primula winteri 3053 was in masses. Every time I see that Primula I think it is the prettiest one I have ever seen, and I always feel elated however many times I see it. Rhododendrons are not very numerous here, except a few kinds, Rhododendron arboreum, R. thomsonii and the big R. falconeri.

SUMMARY:
At Sakden, the page lists several Rhododendron species and describes passing through cultivated areas to scattered houses inhabited by Takpas, a Tibetan-origin group who wear animal skins and use a small round cushion for sitting.

CONTENT:
Sakden
Rhododendron arboreum 586
" keysii 586
" camelliiflorum 587
" micromeres 590
" thomsonii

We passed through cultivation to a number of scattered
houses inhabited by Takpas, a curious race of Tibetan
Ludlow 76-77 origin who wear skins of goats & wild animals, chiefly
deer skins, hanging from their rump, a round
cushion about 6" in diam. which they use for sitting on.

SUMMARY:
Specimens from 4000–6500 ft are listed, and during a journey to Chungkar the writer found Primula filipes in bloom on a cliff and in profusion near Kheri Gompa, with notes on seed timing and scarcity of other flowers. Conditions were very dry compared to the previous year, with only Rhododendron arboreum in flower and fair weather. The following day’s halt at Kheri Gompa yielded nothing notable.

CONTENT:
all between 4000 - 6500ft
Lobelia pyramidalis 1123, Cymbidium cyperifolium 1124, Corylopsis himalayana 1125. Primula filipes 1126
Gentiana capitata 1127, Daphne bholua 1128, Lindenbergia grandiflora 1129, Arisaema nepenthoides 1130
Bergenia ligulata 1131, Dendrobium heterocarpum 1132

23rd Feb. CHUNGKAR 6500 12 miles. I left at 6.0 am, in high
hopes of finding some good flowers on the rock face at about
mile 8 or 7. But we are too early yet. The country is very
dry indeed, & where last year the cliff was covered in soaking
wet moss, this year it was all dry as dust. Signs were
seen of Primula sherriffiae (552) & P. ludlowii (554) in the dry moss, just waiting for damp
to bring them on. The only interesting flower seen was
P. filipes, 1126, found among P. sherriffiae & P. ludlowii (552 & 554) on the same cliff.
It was in full bloom. Not a very pretty primula, but
dainty, with 5 or 6 flowers on a stem. Colour varies from white
to heliotrope where it is in shade. Also found at Kheri Gompa
close to Chungkar, just beside the road immediately under the
Gompa & straight up towards the Gompa from there in profusion.
Seeds should be ready in 2 or 3 months. Last year we
failed to find seeds of P. ludlowii (554), but found some
this year. The seed pod is very low, right down level with
the branching of the leaves which are depressed. Other flowers
were very scarce, only rhododendron arboreum is out. Weather
fair & bright till midday & clear again in the evening.

24th Feb. Halt. Went up to Kheri Gompa but found nothing of any

SUMMARY:
Notes botanical observations including rhododendrons and Agapetes; arranged seed collection of Primula filipes near Kheri Gompa and received mail from Darrang amid concerns over dwindling stores. Marched to Demri and then camped below Balfai in the Jiri Chu valley, tested Lumière films (spoiled by hot water), and found little of botanical interest in hot weather.

CONTENT:
7

Rhododendron grande 1134 at 7000 ft
Agapetes serpens 1136 at 6000 ft
...interest but a rhododendron new to us, with lemon yellow flowers & red stigma. It clouded over before I got there, and had some hail.

25th Feb. Hab. - Looked round about camp for more flowers with no success, but appointed a man to see to collecting seeds of Primula filipes from beside Kheri Gompa. In the evening we packed up a mail, - a mail from Darrang arrived. There were just about three or four days' mail. I had more letters from home about Mother, written at the end of the month or beginning of Feb. We are rather worried at the way our stores are going. Flour will last no time at this rate, & no more is available here of any kind.

26th Feb. DEMRI. 6 miles. BP. 208.2 Temp. 78°. Approx 2190'.
A short march down hill, very hot. I tried the new Lumière films here, but water is too hot, & ruined three exposures. Luckily there was nothing of any great value.
(astonished to find Rhododendron arboreum in flower as low down as 2500 ft)

27th. Camp. about 5 miles below Balfai in the Jiri Chu valley. 7 miles. A grand day, but no flowers or birds of interest seen. It was hot starting.

SUMMARY:
At Yönpula the party marched through Pinus longifolia forest and noted Rhododendron arboreum in flower while searching near Yönpu La for a previously seen rhododendron, collecting seeds instead. Lumsden is mentioned, and several severe medical cases, including a badly burned elderly woman, were brought in for treatment at the 8000' camp.

CONTENT:
8

off, as we were a bit late - Lumsden taking too long
over his shave!

28th Feb. YÖNPULA. 8000' 7 miles. Yesterday & today the marches Pinus longifolia forest
have mostly been through forest of Pinus longifolia, with which the
southern hill faces are covered. The northern faces are mostly covered
with other evergreens, but have some pine too. There are still no Rhod arboreum
flowers to be seen except Rhododendron arboreum. Some of them were Yönpu La
lovely. I looked today to try & find the new rhod. seen on the 28 Feb
Yönpu La, but it was not in bloom. But we collected seeds Rhod maddenii 1141, 1142
of what may be it, taken from close to, if not the same Rhod arboreum 1143
bush. Lumsden's fame is spreading. In the evening Hemiphragma heterophylla 1144
yesterday the worst case of burning I've ever seen was brought Pieris filipes 1145
in on a stretcher from 8 miles away. She had had a fit
& fallen in the fire, both legs being horribly burnt. That
was 17 days ago so they are pretty fruity now. Poor old lady,
she was having an awful time. She will come on today
for more treatment. Several other awful cases were brought in
the last two days - all of a year or two's standing, & pretty
difficult to treat. It is very parky up here; there is no snow
but signs of it pretty close to. Yesterday's camp was a

SUMMARY:
The diarist slowly ascends to Choking La around midday, noting magnolias and rhododendrons, but fewer flowers than expected. Tenduh finds Primula specimens (1166 and 1167), likely including P. boothii, with both forms later seen growing together near snow patches; compass bearings include one toward Mera.

CONTENT:
18

La reached at about m. 6. I did not get there till 12.0 noon, but went very slowly looking for flowers. There was not very much out. Many magnolia trees were in bloom though, and a number of the big pinkish white rhododendron [Rho. grande 1148?] 1148. Rhododendron arboreum gave out soon after it started. Rather to my surprise and disgust there were no more rhododendrons in flower. About 1000 ft below the pass Tenduh came across [Primula gracilipes 1167] the primula 1167, which is likely P. boothii again, though higher I think than it has been recorded so far. Then we reached the snow, going up a north face, and at the first big patch which was half melted in rhododendron [Primula white 1166] and Abies forest, came across 1166, which I at first mistook for the same primula, only blue. But it is obviously different, with what looks like the opened sheath on the outside low down. Both are farinose, but 1167 has much more on the flower underneath. I make the Choking La 11116 ft. Back bearing to approximately where we started seemed to be 302° Mag, and to Mera 100° Mag. On the south side of [Primula white of gracilipes] the pass, we found masses of 1167 with a good deal of 1166 with it. Both were growing together. Lower down we only

SUMMARY:
An easy downhill march from Takhtoo to a standard camp with rhododendrons and Magnolia campbellii in bloom; Primula denticulata is common, and a young Tibetan mastiff was bought in Sanden. From Phungni on the 16th March, heavy smoke over Bhutan from widespread grass burning is noted, with half-burnt rhododendrons and contrasting vegetation on the valley’s north and south faces; Ludlow remarks on rapid changes over a few days.

CONTENT:
very pleasant - a good wind and hot sun.

15th Takhtoo. A very easy march downhill to a pleasant
(Rhod. kingianum 1184, arboreum 1185, grande 1186) camp of the standard pattern, which is beginning to spoil
us badly. Nothing very much on the way, but rhododendrons
are beginning to come out and a marked difference was
seen by Ludlow from the time he came up this way only
(Mag Campbellii) four or five days ago. Magnolia Campbellii is in full
bloom still. It only has an altitude range of about
(Prim denticulata) 1000 - 1500 ft. Prim. denticulata (erythrocarpa?) is
everywhere, as is a red rhododendron rather like arboreum.
Bought a dog in Sanden, which is rapidly becoming
happy with us. He is a young Tibetan mastiff, for
which Rs 2/- would seem a small price at home.

16th March. Phungni. The smoke over Bhutan is very
(Between Takhtoo and Phungni) marked, one can only see a mile or so each day.
(NB) The reason is that the rank old grass is now dry and
being burnt everywhere to allow young grass to come up.
It is horrible to see half burnt rhododendrons everywhere.
The North face of the valley is covered with a mixture of
trees, mostly evergreen, while the South face was today

SUMMARY:
Botanical notes describe conifers, prunus, primulas, and rhododendrons, followed by short march entries between Rungzyung toro, Trashigong, and GHUNKARA. Lumsden treated many patients; the party met the Dzongpon at Trashigong, packed specimens and mail, and calculated food supplies before crossing the river.

CONTENT:
27

almost entirely conifer - either Pinus nepalense or P. longifolia. A most beautiful prunus tree was seen in several places. It reaches a height of about 60 ft. and its flowers are really beautiful. (Rhododendron arboreum 1185). I took another primula from the waterfall. There seem to be two there, both pink. One has flowers which are deeply cut, and the one I took today has almost entire petals.

Prunus cerasoides var. magnifica 1192
Primula gracilipes 1188
" filipes 1189
Rhododendron irroratum 1193

17th March. Rungzyung toro. A short and uninteresting march, but not very hot. Thunder is coming up and I fear we will soon have a bad storm. Lumsden has more and more patients each day and must have seen 25 today.

Elaeagnus umbellata 1196
Caesalpinia sepiaria 1197
Hypericum griffithii 1198

18th March Trashigong. An uninteresting march, with nothing much to be seen. The bauhinias on the river banks are fine. The Dzongpon met us, and we spent most of the day in packing up birds, flowers and getting off a big mail in two bags. We had awful calculations about the amount of butter, atta and rice to take with us, and now have I think 13 bags of rice and 3 of atta.

19th March GHUNKARA. Cross the river up up the R bank,

SUMMARY:
At Trimo, excursions towards the Po La yielded Primula obliqua and several rhododendrons; delays with kit led to a decision to wait until the 12th before moving on. Lumsden shot a serow at close range and later attempted to bag a barking deer, while otherwise little of interest was found.

CONTENT:
Trimo, 10th April Halt. Trimo. A fine day at last. I went up towards
the Po La with Sherriff, but found nothing more than 1278
[P. atrodentata] Primula which is in profusion, till we turned back. Then
[Prin. strumosa 1300] found P. obliqua (1300) yellow form, coming up beside the snow.

Dansey found nothing also, but Ludlow found some
rhododendrons, some of which are very nice, especially a small
[Rho. tsariense 1303] orange-flowered one (1303). The sun shone the whole day till the
[R. wallichii 1302, 1306; R. argipeplum 1304; R. arboreum 1305, 1307, 1308; R. pendulum 1309] evening. Our kit has not yet all arrived, but the last of
it is promised by this evening. Two men went to Tsoma
today over a ridge. I was all for starting tomorrow
morning, but Ludlow wants to wait, so do the coolies,
so we have decided to wait till the 12th & hope for the
best in the way of weather. The monsoon can't be here
yet, & there should be a break soon. There are some serow
here which feed in the fields, & we got news of one yesterday. Lumsden
walked down to 40 yds of it & shot it with a .22 - just like that. We
tell him it won't always be as easy as that.

Trimo 11th April Halt. Another grand day. But we got nothing of interest
[Prim. wallichiana] from flowers or birds. Lumsden was told of a barking deer in
the crops this morning & tried to bag it too. But it went

SUMMARY:
Notes list Kodachrome and Dufay colour shots of Rhododendron species and Primula filipes, a view toward Tom Tom from Rip La, and a sun bird on Piptanthus. Locations include Denchung (river and camp) and Shambling, with mentions of items sent off. Dated entries include 29/04/1949 and 06/05/1949.

CONTENT:
22

Kodachrome C.S. 7.
Bryocarpum himalaicum. 18744
Primula Normaniana. 18740
View toward Tom Tom from Rip La. Magnolia Campbellii & Rhododendron arboreum in foreground.
Rhododendron Lindleyi (2 shots) 18739.
Sun bird on Piptanthus. 23/4.
Rhododendron Edgeworthii 18777
Rhododendron Griffithianum 18776
Rhododendron Edgeworthii by river.
6+7 sent 6/5

B.W. 2. Dufay Colour 4.

1. Rhododendron Lindleyi 18739 trees in background. 1 Primula filipes 18749
2. Rhododendron Lindleyi 18739 sky + clouds - 2 }
3. Primula filipes habitat 18749 3 } Rhododendron Edgeworthii habitat 18777
4. Primula filipes close habitat 4 Rhododendron Griffithianum habitat
   5 } 5 }
   6 } Rhododendron Edgeworthii habitat 18777 6 } Rhododendron Edgeworthii camp river 18777)
   7 Rhododendron Griffithianum 18776
   8 Rhododendron Edgeworthii 18777
   9 ? Rhododendron Lindleyi. Denchung 29/4/49 Dufay 3+4 Sent off
   10 from Shambling
   11 River at Denchung with Bhutanese. 30/4 6/5/49
   12 River at Denchung camp - 1/5