Description

Wilson arrived in Shanghai on 22 Mar, left by steamer on 4 Apr and arrived at Ichang [Yichang] on 12 Apr. From here, on 25 Apr, he started his 900 mile river journey. He reached Chungking [Chongqing] on 22 May and Kiating Fu [Leshan] on 19 June. The latter was the base for this seasons work. He left Kiating Fu on 25 June and reached Tatien-lu [Kangding] on the border of Tibet on 14 July. After several days collecting on the high mountains he returned by a different route, reaching Kiating Fu on 4 Aug. On 10 Aug he left for Sungpan [Songpan], a border town in the north-west corner of the Province. After a pleasant time there he returned to Kiating Fu on 23 Sep. On these two trips he collected specimens of some 900 species of plants, a set of which he hopes to send for RBG Kew's herbarium. He has succeeded in obtaining the ripe seeds of the plant his firm wished him to obtain and also thinks he has secured Meconopsis punicea. The flora of the mountainous region is extremely interesting and presents many curious problems on plant distribution, for example the extension of the flora of the Yunnan plateau. Such characteristic Yunnan plants as Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Pyrus delavayi, and Cotoneaster pannosus[?] are common in the mountains and gorges from 2000 to 4000 feet. Wilson discusses the 'displacement' of species: Rodgersia pinnata displaces the Hupeh [Hubei] R. aesculifolia. The forests are almost extinguished, but small remnants of Coniferous forest still remain. All the higher mountains are clad with Rhododendrons. The ethnology of these parts is very interesting and little known. Aside from the Lolos and Tibetans there are some 18 recognised tribes. Wilson discusses the 'Mantzu' people, the 'Sifan' and the 'Po-lu-tzu', briefly discussing their language, possible origins and the architecture of their villages. The [British] Government has recently established a Consul-General at Chengtu [Chengdu], the capital of the Province and Mr A.[Alexander] Hosie will take up the post. Hosie is working on an exhaustive report on animal and vegetable products of Szechuan [Sichuan]. Page 1 of 13.

Description

Wilson arrived in Shanghai on 22 Mar, left by steamer on 4 Apr and arrived at Ichang [Yichang] on 12 Apr. From here, on 25 Apr, he started his 900 mile river journey. He reached Chungking [Chongqing] on 22 May and Kiating Fu [Leshan] on 19 June. The latter was the base for this seasons work. He left Kiating Fu on 25 June and reached Tatien-lu [Kangding] on the border of Tibet on 14 July. After several days collecting on the high mountains he returned by a different route, reaching Kiating Fu on 4 Aug. On 10 Aug he left for Sungpan [Songpan], a border town in the north-west corner of the Province. After a pleasant time there he returned to Kiating Fu on 23 Sep. On these two trips he collected specimens of some 900 species of plants, a set of which he hopes to send for RBG Kew's herbarium. He has succeeded in obtaining the ripe seeds of the plant his firm wished him to obtain and also thinks he has secured Meconopsis punicea. The flora of the mountainous region is extremely interesting and presents many curious problems on plant distribution, for example the extension of the flora of the Yunnan plateau. Such characteristic Yunnan plants as Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Pyrus delavayi, and Cotoneaster pannosus[?] are common in the mountains and gorges from 2000 to 4000 feet. Wilson discusses the 'displacement' of species: Rodgersia pinnata displaces the Hupeh [Hubei] R. aesculifolia. The forests are almost extinguished, but small remnants of Coniferous forest still remain. All the higher mountains are clad with Rhododendrons. The ethnology of these parts is very interesting and little known. Aside from the Lolos and Tibetans there are some 18 recognised tribes. Wilson discusses the 'Mantzu' people, the 'Sifan' and the 'Po-lu-tzu', briefly discussing their language, possible origins and the architecture of their villages. The [British] Government has recently established a Consul-General at Chengtu [Chengdu], the capital of the Province and Mr A.[Alexander] Hosie will take up the post. Hosie is working on an exhaustive report on animal and vegetable products of Szechuan [Sichuan]. Page 1 of 13.