Showing 6828 results

SUMMARY:
Dawong and the diarist found a new Meconopsis, primulas, a Corydalis, and an Androsace on the Orka La, took photographs, and hurried back before rain, while many people came for medicine including 37.5 over proof rum for tummy aches. The page ends with an entry heading for Muktur, 12 miles, dated 11th July.

CONTENT:
Orka La. P. bellidifolia 636, P. tenuiloba 637, P. sikkimensis 640, P. gambeliana 641, P. macrophylla 642. Rhod. anthopogon 638, Mec. horridula 639, Mec. latifolia 'aurora' 643, Androsace adenophora 643. Corydalis cashmeriana 644.

remained so till I left the pass at 10 am. Dawong & I found some good flowers on the Orka La, & one could easily spend a month or so in that area. A new Meconopsis & some primulas & a beautiful little Corydalis & Androsace were found. The best spot seems to be on the big round cliff like to the South of the pass; on the north side of this there were many flowers. Beyond the pass - 1/4 mile - was a lake 100 yds across. & to the South were 3 more according to Dawong. Took some good photos on return, but had to race home to get them taken before rain came on as usual about 1.0 pm. Many people came for medicine - some for worms, some for tummy ache. Our medicine for the latter is 37.5 over proof rum, & the sight of them taking such strong liquor is good.

11th July. MUKTUR. 12 miles. (B.

SUMMARY:
The diarist crosses the steep Kangin La (c. 15,250'), descends past a small lake, joins the route from Potrang, and follows the right bank of a stream to Tahtsang. Notes include Lerwa with young and several Primula observations and collections, including a pink form like that from the Chichchar valley (No. 2195), a minutissima-section primula (No. 2194), 'Ramzana's' primula, and a yellow form (No. 2175).

CONTENT:
meet here tomorrow. However, I am going on tomorrow myself, so we will have to meet later. I came the short cut here, over the Kangin La. The path is extremely steep for 3/4 m to the pass which must be about 15,250'. Then fairly steep down an easy path, over a little snow, for another 3/4 m to a small lake. Takpa Shiri is left on the R. Thence over grassy hillside and through rhododendron to the fir forest. At m 2 1/2 the route from Potrang is met. Thence follow the R bank of the stream through forest by an easy path to Tahtsang, a good C.G. if small. On the way up to the pass I passed some Lerwa with young, which were hidden, but the parents were rather worried. This side of the pass, there was a lot of P. dryadifolia and a primula which looks exactly like the purple one found in the Chichchar valley so profuse. But this is much pinker and has not the same eye. I took some of it under No. 2195. On the path, just clear of snow was a primula of the minutissima section, which I have never seen before 2194. It cannot be called beautiful, but might be new. 'Ramzana's' prim. was seen here and there down to camp, and the yellow 2175. Then in

SUMMARY:
The diary describes travel over the Namda La from Kyikyi Tsum, descending past a lake to yakherds' huts in mist and rain, with notable size and color differences in Meconopsis horridula across the pass. A messenger from Ludlow (at Chachhunang) prompts letters to Ludlow and to the Sonpon’s household, as the Sonpon has gone to Tibet. On 17 July, in thick mist and rain en route to Jiutang, abundant Meconopsis bella and Primula umbratilis are observed on steep cliff faces.

CONTENT:
The place is called Kyikyi Tsum
reached that day. Then again up a longish climb to the Namda La, which will be about 16000'. Then down again past a lake to this place, which is just a couple of yakherds' huts on the open hillside. Altitude about 14500 I should think, but I can't see anything anywhere for mist. On the Namda La met a man who said something about a sahib, but I thought he had been ahead to arrange for us. It turns out he is from Ludlow, who is at Chachhunang, a full day's journey from here. He was sending to the Sonpon for eggs, a hen, and two taphukas. The letter was in Hindi which the Sonpon can't read, and he has in any case gone to Tibet, we are told now. So we're sending on a Tibetan letter to his servants. And I will send a letter to Ludlow tomorrow to tell him we are going to Jiutang, and ask him to meet me there. The divide between the Bumthang Chu and Mangde Chu is the Namda La. Whether we will find any more flowers here or not I don't know, but one thing was immediately noticeable — Meconopsis horridula this side of the pass is twice the size of those on the other side, and the colour is a fine blue, instead of the miserable dirty colour on the other side. It is curious and most marked. Real heavy rain did not start until we were in camp, I'm glad to say. A poor day for flowers — saw nothing new again.

17th July. JIUTANG. 12000'. Probably not more than 5 miles. Thick mist and rain most of the day. We were unable to see anything at all of the country this morning, and had no idea even which direction we were going in. After a short bit over grassy open hillside, we suddenly dropped steeply between cliffs, where at once we found lots of Meconopsis bella. It was particularly pretty, as the cliffs were covered with Primula umbratilis, and the two were all mixed up together. It would be interesting to know why Meconopsis bella is

SUMMARY:
The party revisits the La, noting flowering Lilium giganteum, rhododendrons (possibly R. maddenii or R. calophyllum), and a primula akin to P. Boothii. A sepoy brings letters and gifts from Ashi Wangmoo and Tasho Haku, with reflections on Wangmoo’s situation as a nun; the Mara Chu is observed plunging in dramatic falls.

CONTENT:
worse each day. Pintso went off with a trial mail to Adao, to bring up coolies. Tenduk & Tsoupen & I went up over the La again. We found a few flowers, & quite a number of Lil. giganteum are now out. What a lovely scent they have. On the ridge above camp are several of the Rhod. I got yesterday under 3147, which seems to be Rhod. maddenii itself, or perhaps R. calophyllum, about which so little is known. We also took some more of the primula like P. Boothii, which was taken under Nos. 2991, & 3056, showing the great length & size of the scape when flowers are over.

When I got back I found another sepoy here, with letters & presents from Ashi Wangmoo, & Tasho Haku. Wangmoo is still a nun, & is not sure whether she will be able to meet me or not, as she is at present "under great restriction, shut up in meditation". But, "I have a great mind to see you, if my estimated number of prayers would be fulfilled by then." Poor Wangmoo, she has a rotten time of it, & I don't see that she will be able to change her life. There is no one she can marry of her class in Bhutan, & no one seems to be able to think of anyone outside, who might do so. I can see that my days in Bumthang will be hectic. The Mara Chu below camp goes down in a series of terrific falls. We saw a little of one this morning. It seems that the river falls 2000 ft at least in very little more than one mile.