Showing 6828 results

SUMMARY:
At Trongsa the party enjoyed a fine day, riding back along the route to collect specimens despite leeches, and noting many butterflies at the Trongsa river before camping near the dzong. They were visited by Maharaj Kumar Dorji; W. pressed him to eat and played the gramophone, while later acrobatic games were better received. The diarist notes mouth trouble becoming septic.

CONTENT:
39

foresight. Owing to mist we again saw none of the
a leech was on the tray which carried in the soup on the way
scenery -

7th July. TRONGSA. 7350'. 8 miles. (An Ht. 7000'). A fine day at
last: misty in the early morning, but no rain till about 4.0pm.
Ludlow & I again rode back along the previous day's route for a
few miles in the early morning. By doing this, we can shoot
more freely, as there are few people about. If we go on ahead in
the morning, the route is always full of coolies, who start at
all hours after 4.0 am. We were again troubled by leeches, but
got some good specimens. Butterflies were out in numbers down
at the bridge over the Trongsa river, there we saw many of
the big papilios, but had no time to catch more than five or
six. The Trongsa river is a fine sight racing through a deep
gorge. Camp near the dzong in a beautiful site, the building
being permanent. This is the winter residence of the maharaja.
Yesterday we were met by the Maharaj Kumar Dorji, a very
nice youth of 24 or so. W. insisted on his coming to dinner,
and in his usual way made him eat all sorts of things which
he did not wish to, much to Ludlow's very disgust. He
also played the gramophone, another entertainment the poor lad
hated. Tonight instead we played silly acrobatic games, which
were much more appreciated. He did not leave till after
10pm, which is very late for us. My mouth has become
septic the last few days, and is rather troublesome. W has also

SUMMARY:
Travel from high pass to Tron with yak transport only; steep shale ascents/descents over Drosung La (~16,000 ft), rain turning dry after descending. Collected seeds of Pedicularis atrodentata and noted Pedicularis bella (2306) and an unidentified Meconopsis (2309); camped near irrigation canal with flat-roofed houses observed.

CONTENT:
of P. bellidifolia. We saw one piece of Pedicularis bella 2306,
otherwise nothing of any interest. But the hillside looks
promising, perhaps a little later will be better. Fine all
morning, the afternoon drizzly. Clouded all day. We collected
again a lot of seed of P. atrodentata. We have yak
transport only. It would be rather too much for ponies. Left
at 06.15, in at 12.30.

7th July. TRON, N. side of river. 7 miles. Path continues
to ascend, is very steep most of the way to the Drosung La,
about 16000' at m 3. Mostly over shale scree. Descent on
South side very steep over shale for a mile, then easier
along a ridge for 2 miles. The final mile down to Tron
is again very steep indeed. C.G. good, water from irrigation
canal. Rain all day till we got two miles down this
side of the pass, when we were again in the dry zone.
All houses here have flat roofs. On the ascent, came
across a nice Meconopsis 2309 which I do not know,
cannot make out from Taylor's book. The flowers are a
pretty pinkish wine red, one on a scape, I don't think
more than 2 to a plant. Leaves basal & cauline, all very

SUMMARY:
Records Primula pumilio and a Viola species near Tromda, followed by notes on the easy 16-mile route along the right bank to Nang Dz, which stands on a rock with cultivation and some stores. Mentions passing a village halfway and seeing Thunkang on the left bank, noted as the birthplace of the old Dalai Lama.

CONTENT:

3596. Primula pumilio seen on a water channel bank in Tromda, just coming into flower.

3597. Viola sp. Tromda.

TROMDA to NANG DZ. 16m. The road is easy the whole way, just fit for pony transport, though coolies are usually supplied. The river here is pretty straight and the path follows the R. bank all the way. A small village is passed about half way, but otherwise all cultivation is on the L. bank. Every mile or two a few sand dunes are crossed. Nang Dz stands on top of a rock 500 ft above the river (river here makes a big bend northwards). There is considerable cultivation and some stores are available.

Ludlow p. 29.
about 6-7 miles from Tromda we saw on the left bank the village of Thunkang - the birthplace of the old Dalai Lama - etc.

SUMMARY:
Notes a possible plumbago like one found near Lhakhang Dzong in 1933 and a new Trochalopteron (perhaps henrici), with locals described as helpful unlike those at Tsona. At Tro Shika on 20 April, the writer describes a picturesque, cultivated valley and recounts a passport exchange with the Dzongpen handled by Pinto, who returned with apologies.

CONTENT:
or plumbago of some kind. I hope it may be that we found near Lhakhang Dzong in 1933. It is just turning green, but I can't find any old seeds. There is also a new Trochalopteron, perhaps Henrici, which we have not seen before. The locals are all nice and helpful, not like the Tsona people at all.

20th April. Tro Shika. 9 m. BP. 190.6 Temp. 60°. Time 4:00 pm. Approx Ht. 12,253'. Another grand day, with a wonderful sky, clouding over by 3:00 pm. It felt quite hot all day, and certainly is compared to what we are now used to. A very picturesque valley, with ruins and villages on both sides. Quite a lot of cultivation at each place, some more trees, mostly poplar and willow, but now peach also. The ruins are said to have been caused by people from beyond the Lopas, who came up, mostly mounted, and plundered the whole valley a long time ago. The Dzongpen did not call but sent for our passport this morning. We sent Pinto back with it and told him to say that it was the duty of the Dzongpen to call first. Pinto came back with most apologetic messages. The result was

SUMMARY:
During a halt at Langong, two local men reconnoitred the Chiniung La, encountering deep snow, a half-frozen lake to the south, remains of Lopas on the pass, and few flowers, while the diarist records plant notes and a long circuit over the main range. That evening the gyimpon described local customs regarding Lopas and claimed that “Highburn Pk” near Tso Kar is the real Takpa Shiri; the writer wished to hear the account through Pintso but struggled to understand Kusho, who had been drinking chang. The party then moved to a camp south of the Tse La in heavy rain.

CONTENT:
Chiniung La
Trip to Chiniung La

20th June. Halt Langong. Rain nearly all day, finer in the evening. Trompen or rather two locals went up the valley to the South of Langong to try the South of the main range. It took 3 hours to reach the pass, going without a halt. The pass is called the CHINIUNG LA, (BP. 185.0, Temp 51°. 9.0 am, Ht. approx 15318.) There is a good deal of deep snow on this side still, but sufficient has melted to show the remains of some Lopas who died on the pass last year. Five died there, but we only saw one. They don't just leave their dead where they lie, but put a few stones round them, cover them with their hats & their fibre rain coat affair, then leave them little bundles of tsampa or food, & stick their bow up at one end. The arrows however, seem to have been taken away. Two Lopas crossed this pass last week & returned. On the South side, about 500 ft. down is a large lake, still half frozen, which shows how late things are here. There were hardly any flowers out as far as we went - P. Valentiniana near others of P. tsariensis. We got nothing on the South side. Then we did a big circle round to the left, over the main range again, but there was little new. P. chamaethamna was really more beautiful in masses, occasionally mixed with P. tsariensis. P. Hobsonii common & also P. macrophylla 5608. P. rotundifolia 5606 was common near the Chiniung La. Out at 5.30, back at 3.30 pm. pretty tired. The gyimpon this evening said they had not much trouble with the Lopas. When they come, a yak is killed on a stone & both the Lopas & the Langong people drink the blood. After this there is no trouble between the men, but he said that perhaps a woman or two or a child might get hit up, he did not know much about them. Tomorrow they have some kind of tamasha. As far as I can make out, they all go out with guns & let them off in Pachakshiri direction. It seems some idea of frightening the Lopas, who however know nothing about it all. I should like to have heard the whole story through Pintso. Kushos Urdu or Hindi is about as good as my Tibetan, & he is almost impossible to understand, especially as he had been drinking chang this evening. The gyimpon insists that the "Highburn Pk" - near Tso Kar - is the real Takpa Shiri, & that it is universally so called. I wonder if he can be right?

21st June. Camp S. of the Tse La. 6 miles. BP. 186.4° Temp. 50° Time 3.30 pm. Ap. ht. 14457'. Heavy rain

SUMMARY:
A 5-mile march to Trimo is recorded with weather, elevation, and route notes along the river bank and a bridge to the village. Ahmad Sheikh develops a hard cough and fever; the writer administers aspirin and quinine despite Lumsden. Botanical collecting includes rhododendrons and primulas (specimens 1296–1299) near a side valley and marshy fields.

CONTENT:
also huge flocks of snow pigeon, out of which we have shot over 30, which does not seem to make any difference.

Trimo 9th April. Trimo. 5 miles. B.P. 192.6° Temp. 45° Time 4:30 pm Approx ht. 10722' Path up the R. bank for 2 1/2 miles quite good, then over a bridge and a pretty steep ascent, easing off the last mile to the village - consisting of a few scattered houses, and some cultivation. It rained hard all night but cleared up and only drizzled during the day till 3:00 pm, when rain came on hard again. Ahmad Sheikh has developed the same cough and fever as L. and I have had. Ignoring Lumsden, I have given him 2 aspirin and quinine 3 times a day. The cough is awfully hard and painful. Took one new rhododendron on the

Rhod. wallichii 1296, fulgens 1297 way up, pinkish with rather a rounded leaf, and found a very nice one up here just in flower (1297). It also has a rounded leaf with heavy tomentum on the under surface.

P. atrodentata 1298, P. denticulata 1299 Here primula 1298 is growing in masses up the little side valley. ? Erythrocarpa is also in masses in open marshy fields. But so far I have found nothing more.

SUMMARY:
On 10 November at Trimo, the diarist notes seed collections and plants seen en route to the Pō La, and reports that Taylor has gathered many specimens between Sirimo and Shakti. They describe leaving Tsona, meeting the Dzongpen who discussed Tawang and Assam officials, sending mail by special runner toward Trashi-yang, and note health updates for Phunbo and the Dzongpen along with gifts from H.H. the Maharani, Padmadechen, and Phunbo Wangdi Palden.

CONTENT:
10th Nov. Trimo. seeds of R. baileyi 6656, R. tsariense 6657, R. wallichii 6659, P. pendulum 6660, R. tsariense 6661, P. strumosa 6658

Poda
things on the way to the Pō La - P. eburnea, Gent. amoena, Mec. grandis among others. And Taylor has another 150 specimens between Sirimo & Shakti! No mail reached them yet. I am sending their mail down by special runner - 1st day Le, 2nd beyond Shakti. It should reach Trashi-yang on 13th, so I hope Taylor may get it in Bhutan yet.

10th November. Trimo. Fine, much warmer in morning till 10:30, clouded. We left Tsona in true Tsona style. Everything was ready, ponies paid for & agreement signed, faithful promises to turn up by sunrise. Actually it was 9:00 before the mules loaded up & had to dig out one of the cooks & make him go in front of me till the Pō La. I went to the Dzongpen who seemed a nice man & fairly well educated. The only really interesting thing he talked about was Tawang, when he mentioned two points: one that the Tibetans felt very much that the officials visiting there from Assam were shooting so much, especially now the new Dalai Lama is expected: & the other was a complaint against the translator who was up with the Assam Govt official. The Dzongpen said that the Babu never told them the same as the Sahib said, but gave his own version. The Dzongpen talks Hindi pretty well, but he was not there himself. I left at 9:30 am, & reached the Pass at 12:30 & Trimo at 4:30 pm. Phunbo was very bad last night, but recovered quickly, & was well enough to ride here, has no fever now. But Dzongpen was ill today, with a very bad head, was sick on the way to the Pass.

Prim.
Gent.
Mec.
Rhodo
However he also is much better this evening. We found a very little of the Prim. eburnea Ludlow mentioned, some rather unripe G. amoena, a little Mec. grandis, & several Rhododendrons. To allow everyone to recover, & to give us a chance to get some seed, I am stopping here tomorrow. It is very nice to be here, because from here on it will be warm & dry & we will have no more transport troubles.

RB
The latter have loomed large with me this year, & it is good to feel they are now over. And none of us are sorry to get to a warm place again. Presents of butter, rice, cloths etc. from H.H. the Maharani, Padmadechen, Phunbo Wangdi Palden. They had been as far as Tsari Chinchu & back again looking for us.

SUMMARY:
Entries describe marches and halts from Trimo to Le, Pangchen, Shakti and Karteng with snow, rain and heat, while collecting seeds and specimens including rhododendrons. Notes include Ludlow’s rapid travel from S. Chöling, recovery of Pintso and Tsungpen, efficient Monba coolies, Tawang people wishing to come under Assam while taxed by Tsona, and Guha going missing after taking a wrong path.

CONTENT:
85

Trimo
11th November. Halt. Clouded all day: no sun: snow falling on hills & slight rain here. Much colder than I expected. Pintso & Tsungpen both recovered, Pintso not fully yet. Collected odd rhododendron & other seed. Ludlow moved quickly here from S. Chöling, the same marches as I did, & apparently quite easily because he was able to use dzong-dzong transport, which I could not.
I hear the Tawang people are all anxious to come under Assam, but are still paying large taxes to Tsona in the form of wooden planks.

To
12th November. Le. Clouded all day till 4.0pm. Snowed all night right down to Trimo village, & rained all day till we reached here at 3.0pm. As Tsering has taken 150 specimens between Trimo & Shakti, I am not likely to find anything that he has not got. Got a few seeds & about 15 specimens. Clothed for snow as I was, found it very hot marching down here. But the evening is cool enough. These Monba coolies are very good & fast, waste no time on the road.
R. crassum 6676.

To
13th November. Pangchen. Fine all day. First clear sky in morning. Clouds low in evening. Nice & warm down here at 7000 ft. Found Rhod. rhabdotum (Dalhousie 6694) at the same place just above Pangchen that we took R. lindleyi from in 1936, but seeds not begun yet to turn brown.
P. prunifer

To
14th November. Shakti. Heavy rain last night. Fine today: clouded in evening. It was very hot coming up from the bridge over the Nyam Jang Chu — a long steep climb. I sent Guha on from the bridge at 11.30, he must have taken the wrong path, as he has not turned up at 5.0pm. Poor old Guha, he will be sorry for himself. Got a few more seeds today & took about 15 specimens.
Codonopsis ovata 6702, Crawfurdia Campanulaceae 6703, Prunus cerasoides 6708, Wightia gigantea 6700

To
15th November. Karteng (Kapleng). Clouded nearly all day, with rain in the evening. Rather nice having rain now as it keeps it cool. Changed transport twice, & should have changed a third time too. Karteng is directly opposite the bridge leading across the river. The people here — & from below Pangchen are all Takpas; only Monbas are above Pangchen. Both seem a good crowd. Took seed of what I think is Albizzia Sherriffii & saw near here a good deal of Luculia gratissima, which always strikes me as a most beautiful shrub. It is a pity it is not hardy.
Kapleng & Jy-iper. Sarcococca hookeriana 6716, Luculia gratissima 6720, Lindenbergia grandiflora 6721

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