Showing 6828 results

SUMMARY:
At Dur Chutsen on the Mangde Chu, the diarist met Ludlow and identified his Meconopsis as Meconopsis sherriffii, noting abundant Androsace globifera. A letter reported Betty’s injury, requiring travel to Calcutta and forcing a return to Bumthang before proceeding to Ripong; the next day was a halt during which Dorong returned with a large haul, noted as more effective than Pasang and Gunden.

CONTENT:
so happy here, completely absent only a few miles away over the divide. The white Androsace globifera which grows in huge vertical clumps, which I've only seen once before, in the Chachhu Valley, was here in masses - for about 200-300'. But there's nothing else of much interest. An answer is in from Ludlow, so go down to meet him tomorrow at the hot springs, Dur Chutsen, which are right on the bank of the Mangde Chu, somewhere near where the map shows. Ludlow got a new Meconopsis, in masses, pink, one flowered very fine.

18th - Dur Chutsen 10800'. Got down at 9:00 am to meet Ludlow in a filthy camp, along a filthy path on a filthy day. But it was grand seeing him again, and his Meconopsis, which I see is Meconopsis sherriffii in a fine form. But then the blow fell. A letter came for Hicks and Betty, to say Betty had had a fall and was mildly concussed with a possible broken arm, must go to Calcutta. So all our plans, which we had just finished arranging in detail, have had to be altered. Now we must return to Bumthang at once, where Betty arrives on the 26th. We will reach there on the 25th and then go on with her to Ripong. I must return for the seed as soon as I can. And that is that. It is a big blow, but cannot be helped, and we must work out the best way of getting the most out of the country.

19th July Halt. Stayed in camp, except for short walks up muddy paths. It was interesting to see Dorong come in with his press full after 2 days out. He is worth 3 of Pasang and Gunden together of course. That is only natural. He has had years of training, and years on his own as well as with sahibs. He brought in a big haul of quite good

SUMMARY:
The diarist reports fever and painful throat affecting both himself and Tsongpen, while Pinto has recovered. They move from Dungshuggang to a camp 2 miles beyond Wangchelah at about 12,500 ft, finding few new plants but noting abundant rhododendrons and several Primula species.

CONTENT:
Sherriff 60

Morning was perfect, even over the plains of Assam there were no clouds for a while. I have got some kind of fever, which makes me feel pretty queer every week; also a throat which feels completely raw and most painful. So I only stayed out for 3 or 4 hours this morning. We found nothing. I have thought Tsongpen was a little past work too, this evening he has just come in to say he also has fever, got it the same time as I did, but he says he thought his inability to climb was just due to staleness and nothing else. The coolies are all up and Pinto too; he is much better, and says he is quite alright. I think at any rate he has no fever left. No mail has come.

Dungshuggang
22nd June. Camp 2 miles beyond Wangchelah 5 miles. Ht. 12500' approx.
Another perfect morning, with the hills looking better than ever. But Tsongpen and I are not better than ever, and both feel pretty rotten. The fever is not very bad as they go, but our necks are very painful, and to swallow is difficult. On both sides under the lower jaw is swollen. Rhododendrons, P. sikkimensis, P. Hopeana and P. strumosa are plentiful — it is the first time we have seen sikkimensis. Otherwise there is very little that we have not already collected. But I have hopes of tomorrow's place up the

SUMMARY:
A long trek over bleak ground near Dungshinggang yielded additional primulas (including P. umbratilis 3301 and a full collection of nivalis under 3310), views of the 'Door to Dungshinggang,' several small lakes including Yum Tso (Yu Tso), and a Grandala nest. Tsongpen developed a fever when rain began around noon and by 5 pm was unable to bring in specimens.

CONTENT:
Descriptive Black No.

We found no new primulas on a long day over very bleak ground, but got some more, saw lots of P. umbratilis 3301, a most beautiful primula it is too. We also got a full collection of the little nivalis primula collected first under 3271, now taken under No. 3310. Over the first huge hill, we came to what they call the Door to Dungshinggang, a huge hole through the hill, about 70 ft by 20'. Away below us on the rhodo-clad hillside, we could see the shadow of our hill, - this huge hole showing up in it. Down there, were about 100 sheep brought up by the Nepalis from Chirang direction. We went on, up and down the most precipitous places, till the "three brother" peaks of Dungshinggang were very close, but we did not attempt them. One would need more time than we had to spare. The "Yum Tso" (Yu Tso) or amethyst(?) lake was very well named. We saw a lot of lakes of all colours, usually about 50 yards long. One interesting thing we saw was the nest of a Grandala c. coelicolor. Tsongpen was fit in the morning, but developed fever as soon as the rain came on about noon. He arrived back in a poor way, but I never knew it till 5.0 pm, when he was unable to bring in the specimens to be written up. He is a very good lad Tsongpen, and I hope he will soon recover. He is so keen,

SUMMARY:
The party camps by warm small lakes near Dungshinggang, organizing searches for blood pheasant nests without success while noting the diarist’s recovery and the conditions of Tsongpen and Pintso. On 24 June they start early toward the Bl. Mountain, cross the Chuthangha, traverse steep hills in changeable weather, take bearings to Nabzi La and the Bl. Mt., but find little.

CONTENT:
essentially a high cliff ledge primula, growing among grass.
I am much better today, but still have a head and weak knees. Tsongpen started well, but was done by the time we reached camp. But I think he is improving slowly. Pintso seems alright. We are camped by a little lake, which is surrounded by land, is very warm for this height, the temp being 64° F. There are a lot of small lakes here. On the way up we had organized searches for blood pheasant's nests, but never found one, though we are pretty sure they were near us and had eggs. The locals say they breed later on Dungshinggang and that is certainly correct. None have their young out yet.

Dungshinggang S. of Nabzi La
24th June. Halt. A lovely morning, fine till 12.0, then a heavy shower, and after 3.0 heavy rain the rest of the day. I decided on an early start, thinking we might even go to the top of the Bl. Mountain. So we left at 4.30 am, and got back at 2.30 pm. We crossed the Chuthangha, BP. 186.4° Temp 59° Time 1.30 pm, and then spent our time going up and down over the most awful steep hills. But we really found very little. From the La, the bearing to the Nabzi La is 320° M and to the highest pt. of the Bl. Mt. about 143° M.

SUMMARY:
Notes from Dungshinggang describe abundant Primula species, comparisons to a specimen from Bimbi La, and a sighting of Primula waddellii. The author records clear morning views of the Himalayas including Chomolhari and the Kangchenjunga group, with later heavy rain, and remarks on plentiful monal.

CONTENT:
58
Primulas

No. 3271, which reminds me very much of one we had on the Bimbi La, but which I think the Prof. put down as P. macrophylla. It was bigger there, but stands out in having the pale lemon yellow eye, as here. There were only a very few in flower, one will have to visit the spot again on our return.

P. shitoriana (3258) has taken the place of P. tenella, & grows in masses, in huge clumps & small clumps on rock faces, usually preferring any face but the south. P. macrophylla is also very common, & there are some fine ones to be seen. I believe I could shoot half a dozen monal a day up here, they are so plentiful.

Dungshinggang
18th June. Halt. Rained in the night. Fine & clear in the morning till just after 7.30. Fine till 1.0pm, then heavy rain. The Himalayas were clear this morning, though there must have been some storms to the north in Tibet. I could see Chomolhari easily, & at 280° Mag what must have been the Kangchenjunga group. Right round to the East was clear, past Kula Kangri, Sangto-pelri down to the Mago peaks, or dare say even beyond, though those we saw might have been anything. The only thing of interest we saw today was Prim. waddellii (3281). What I had taken as

SUMMARY:
Diary entries from Dungshinggang record rest days with fine mornings and heavy afternoon hail and rain, photo developing difficulties, and limited plant finds including Primula species. A message arrives from Phobshikha that Purbo had been ill for a day but is now much better.

CONTENT:
it before was P. tenella, rather dwarf, from 15,500'. These specimens are very much redder than any I have seen before. Monal again very common. We were in mist most of the time from 7.30 on, but rain started only as we reached camp at 1.30.

[Dungshinggang]
19th June. Halt. We were all beginning to feel a bit weary, so stayed in camp all day today. Another beautiful morning with wonderful views of the Himalayas. It kept fine till about 2.30 & since then has been hailing very hard, with some thunder. Spent the morning developing photos. The trouble is to dry them.

[Dungshinggang]
20th June. Halt. Fine in the morning, misty the rest of the day, but rain less than usual. We can find very little here now. The [P. bellidifolia 3288] only thing of interest was Prim. Menziesiana 3288, which I have [P. capitata 3289] been calling P. umbratilis. We have not found one in flower till today. I was terribly lazy all the time we were out, & feel as if I had fever coming on, though where from anyway I don't know: back at 1.0 pm. with no energy to do anything. A man came up from Phobshikha said Purbo was bad for one day, but is now much better. I hope he will not come up with the coolies.

[Dungshinggang]
21st June. Halt. Heavy rain in evening & last night, but this

SUMMARY:
Notes record Parnassius butterflies, a woodcock nest with four eggs found on 22 June, and a list of Primula species observed. The writer describes the steep peaks of Dungshinggang, clear views toward Sikkim and beyond Chomolahri, getting soaked in a noon storm, and a 25 June entry noting rain overnight, a clear morning, and later cloud.

CONTENT:
that he will not let you know when he has fever. Saw lots of Parnassius butterflies in good condition, but fancy all are common. We put up four pairs of woodcock, which I think were nesting, as the coolies found one nest with four eggs on 22nd June. We saw no eggs or young chicks.

We expected rather too much today and did not take any waterproofs, so were wet pretty well through in the heavy storm at noon, but dried before getting home. I suppose we have not really done badly with primulas. We now have 26, 11 of which are different to last year's, and seven of which I have not collected before. Two are, I hope, new.

The three peaks of Dungshinggang are very steep, the rock rotten, but I think that they should be possible to get up, though difficult. I had hoped we might try, but camp would have to be a good deal nearer than this, especially if one were to get up before the mist covered everything. The snows were again very clear, some cloud in Sikkim, but none away to the East as far west as beyond Chomolahri. The following primulas
were seen here: P. strumosa, P. glabra, P. pusilla, P. Menziesiana,
P. umbratilis, P. sapphirina, P. macrophylla, P. Roylei (over), the small
P. nivalis sp., and P. atrodentata. P. Hopeana not yet in flower.

25th June. Hall - Rain all last night, clear early morning, cloudy rest.