Part 161 - Monsoon weather and primula collections near camp

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SUMMARY:
Monsoon rains begin, pleasing local Lopas and Tibetans, and the party notes cultivation of wheat, potatoes, and turnips while offering seeds for sowing. Ramzana finds a new primula (1662, Primula yargongensis) by a hill stream and another primula (1663, P. florindae) in meadows; headmen bring provisions as the party arranges for paid services and medical help.

CONTENT:
Polygonatum cirrhifolium 1668. Calanthe tricarinata 1669. Rhod. megeratum 1666, Rhod. triflorum 1675.
Rhod. neriiflorum 1676, 1677. Trillium tschonoskii 1670.

right down - typical monsoon weather in fact. The locals are rather pleased. They had had no rain till yesterday and connected its coming with ours. They seem to be a mixture of Lopas and Tibetans, some pure Lopas. The valley opens out a lot here and the hillsides are 'jhummed' a good deal. There is considerable cultivation - wheat, potatoes and turnips and the natives are very pleased at our offer of seeds to sow in their ground - for our use - though they will no doubt have as much as we do. None of us went out any distance, but Ramzana walked on to a primula which is new to us, 1662 (Prim. yargongensis), growing on the bank of a hill stream. There were only 6 or 8 flowers, so I think it must have come down from further up stream. But there is also another primula 1663 (P. florindae), a big yellow sikkimensis one, growing in the meadows opposite camp. It has very fine leaves, and stands about 2 ft high, like helodoxa. We were brought some eggs, butter and greens by the headmen, and we told them all we wanted was service in the way of coolies and would pay for everything and would doctor them. Immediately we were asked to remove a