Part 37 - Seed collection instructions at Dengchung and Panghar; ascent of Rip La and visit to H.H.'s half sisters

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SUMMARY:
The writer instructs Chengala of Dengchung to show a plant to Betty and collect seeds of several trees, including one used locally for yellow dye, with earlier material taken at Panghar. After a strenuous day crossing the Rip La, the diarist visits the half sisters of H.H., two of whom come to the tent, and later receives a letter from Betty while expressing concern about Hicks.

CONTENT:
they have flowers in whorls. And the flowers of this one (18806) are not yet out, but already the second whorl is 1 1/2" above the first. So I can't think what it is. We have not got good specimens as regards flowers, but I hope we will get seed alright as it is on Betty's route. I have left instructions with the man of Dengchung called Chengala that he must show this to Betty & get seed. He has also to collect seed of another tree which I took at Panghar, with attractive Daphne like flowers, from the leaves of which the locals make a good yellow dye, used in all their clothes. So Chengala has to get seed if possible of the following:- "Trali shing" (Styrax hookeri) 18802. "Pumpa shing", probably Viburnum erubescens 18706. The new mother primula (18806) and the tree used for dye (Daphniphyllum himalayense) (18733). I have given him a letter.

There were no flower excitements during the rest of the day, but we climbed to the Rip La, certainly 3000', then dropped a similar amount on the W. side, & finally climbed a good 2000 or 2500' up here. I should think we have climbed or dropped nearly 11000 ft. today, & the same coolies did it all. This is the home of the half sisters of H.H. There are three. They sent their mule down for me. One is a leper in such a bad way that she can't appear. The other two came to my tent & for 2 hours I had to do my best by myself to talk to them. The elder is also a leper or has lupus - her nose is disappearing - but she is quite nice & reasonably easy to get on with. The other was rather difficult. No sooner had they gone than Betty's letter came & that finished a good day. I fear poor Betty will have a bad time with Hicks, but she will have a good time with flowers. It was very very nice hearing from her, it really seems