Part 153 - Me La, Aug. 24: Botanical observations and bearings

1 page

SUMMARY:
Early morning ascent to Me La; mist arrived by 9 and steady rain began at 10. A delicate primula (No. 878) was found about 150 ft SW of the pass, with notes on Gentiana divaricata (879), G. infelix (880), Aconitum spicatum (884), aff. luridum (881), widespread Rheum nobile (883), Primula roylei in seed, P. congestifolia near over, and compass bearings taken from the La to m 5 and to Shingbe.

CONTENT:
Me La Aug. 24.
Went up to the Me La in the early morning. It looked as if it might be a fine day when we left, but by 9.0 the mist was coming up and at 10 rain started. It rained the rest of the day. We found a new primula about 150 ft SW of the La.

Prim. soldanelloides (No 878). It was growing on rock ledges in wet moss. It is a pretty little thing, rather delicate looking. I call it a primula, though it is unlike others in having a rather irregular flower, the lower petals being longer than the upper. But as far as we could make out, it is a primula, and if so will almost certainly be an interesting one, if not quite new. There was nothing else of much interest.

Gentiana divaricata 879
Gentiana infelix 880

Rheum nobile 883
Aconitum spicatum 884
" aff luridum 881

Rheum nobile was growing all over the hillside, being very obvious against the dark green vegetation.

Prim roylei
Prim. roylei is in seed, and will bag some tomorrow. P. congestifolia is also near the top, the flower just about over. I took some compass bearings from the La: to m 5 (first crossing) on our last day's march - 60° : to Shingbe, approximately 255