Part 41 - Kashong La halt: plant collections and wildlife observations

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SUMMARY:
Two halt days at Kashong La with short excursions up and down the valleys yielded several plant collections, including Cyananthus, Pedicularis, Gentiana, Lonicera, Primula, Delphinium, Saxifraga, and others. The diarist marked plants for seed, shot two wrens at 15,000 feet, and noted sightings of blood pheasant and musk deer; Primula Cawdoriana was abundant on nearby cliffs.

CONTENT:
130

Kashong La - Sherriff

18th July, Halt. A reasonably fine day, with a little sun now & then, and much rain here. Only went up the valley towards the pass, but came across one or two interesting things.

Cyananthus Sherriffii 2390
Ped. schizanthoides 2389
" Bella 2391
G. przewalskii 2386
taylorii 239

A Cyananthus (lobatus?) 2390, a small pure white Pedicularis 2389, & a gentian 2386, which I think is G. nubigena. There was very little in flower, but I have marked off some coming over for seed. Shot two wrens, at 15,000' among large boulders, farther down.

19th July, Halt. Kashong La - Sherriff. Fine for an hour or two in the morning & a little in the evening. Went down the valley to the west, then up the other side, over the top & round right handed.

Lonicera myrtillus 2393
Gentiana taylorii 2392
Gent. coerulea aglaia 2401
Pr. morsheadiana 2396
" muscoides 2399
Pedicularis macrosiphon 2407, Ped. elwesii var. major 2403,
Delphin. beesianum 2400
Cyananthus Sherriffii 2402
Sax. drapana 2398
P. Cawdoriana

A fairly good day. Found a primula like sikkimensis, but much smaller 2396. I doubt if it will be more than a variety, though it looks rather different. Further up a delphinium, the first we have seen - 2400 - one I have not collected before. Another rather smaller cyananthus 2402 & a few other pedicularis & odd things. Did not take a gun with me, saw blood pheasant, & three musk deer. Prim Cawdoriana is very common on the cliffs of the nala across the valley from camp, all in full bloom.