Part 171 - Shing-itun valley halts and plant finds, 29–30 May

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SUMMARY:
Halt days near Shing-itun with Danang and Tenduk exploring a valley to the southwest, where a yellow primula was found above a bridge. The next day the author revisited via the right-hand valley to Champa Phé and a higher thang, noting a wren’s nest, abundant Paraquilegia, other primulas including possible P. sapphirina on west-facing cliffs, and that Lumsden’s white primula was already in seed. Weather included rain on the first day and fine conditions on the second.

CONTENT:
83

Rhod. thomsenii var. pallidum 1728, 1730.

29th May. Halt. Danang & Tenduk went up the valley SW of Shing-itun, keeping to the W of the village. At the top of the hill seen from camp, the valley divides in two. They crossed the stream & went into the Southern valley. Here they found a yellow primula 1732 [P. jucunda sp. nov. 1732], a good mile above the bridge. It is a fine valley. Rained part of the day.

30th May. Halt. A fine day. I went up the same way as Danang & Tenduk yesterday, as far as the bridge on the ridge. But this time we took the R hand valley, just above the bridge it opens out into a fine thang, called Champa Phé, probably about 12000'. Above this there is another small thang, with a hut, where we found a wren's nest. On the rocks Paraquilegia [Calderia macrophylla] grows in profusion, & both Roylei & the purple primula. Above this again, to the left a bit, is a valley full of avalanche snow. We went up this for some way, & on the cliffs to the R hand side going up — West — we found P. sapphirina? [P. flabellifera 1737]. It was growing on almost perpendicular cliffs, which were damp & open to the sun. Lumsden's little white primula 1644 [Vernicosa 1644], was already in seed. It is a poor thing. No flower to speak of, very short lived. Another...