Letter and/or further information available at http://jdh.aetopia.net/p/jdh?q=jhc68.
Please cite as “JHC68,” in Ɛpsilon: The Joseph Dalton Hooker Collection accessed on 2 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/hooker/letters/JHC68
JDH describes, to [Archibald] Campbell [AC], his ascent of a 17000 foot mountain, during which he found new Rhododendrons, primroses & other alpine things. He finds on average 10 new plants a day. He describes the kinds of Rhododendron on the hill, the most common is Mearinase's[?]. Describes the view of the Zemu & Kinchin [Kanchenjunga] towards Thibet [Tibet] including a Rhododendron covered valley which he later tried to reach with Nimbo, Palesbull & Meepo, only to find it was inaccessible & the route to the pass is not by the head of the Lachen [includes small sketch map]. JDH thinks his current longitude is past the Himalaya crest, though further North lie the 'Powhinry?' [Pauhunri?]. JDH describes the unique vegetation of the Nepal passes. His men are trying to bridge the river. JDH is glad of supplies from AC, as at Bhomsong he is thin & hungry. He details the good weather conditions that allow him to explore every day. He calls the place 'a howling wilderness' with no animals, only snow & avalanches of stone, 1 of which nearly crushed Kinchin [his dog]. JDH recommends that if AC wants to travel to high altitudes he only take roads or passes e.g Tongra. Meepo is ordered to take JDH no further through the pass than a bridge this side of the Latong plain. Botanical collecting is satisfactory, has doubled JDH's Darjeeling flora & garnered 30 Rhododendrons. JDH has a rain register to compare with Darjeeling, will send flowers for Mrs Rowling's & requests Thullier's letter. Illustrated with a sketch titled 'my cake & I' captioned with a rhyme about not sharing cake with his dog. JDH discusses Bhotea [Bhotia] tribes who inhabit the Cachan above Limbos & Ghorkas [Gorkhas] in Nepal, & Hairos[?], Murims[?] & Lepchas in Sikkim. Translates some Bhotia words. Mentions salt trade with Tibet. The Bhotias name for Bhootan [Bhutan] is Lhop or Country of the Dhurmah Rajah. All the people in the region incl. Little Bucharia & Soongaria are Buddhists who practice Lamaism.
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