New Britain herald., 1930-05-03
EXPLORES SACRED
 RANGES OF TIBET
Dr, Rock Returns from Bandit
 Infested Mountains

Washington, D. C., May 3.-Dr. Joseph r. Rock. famous plant eN- plorer, leader of the National Ge- ographic Societys 1927-30 eNpedi- ton to unexplored areas of the China-Tibetan borderland, has just returned to Washington with note worthy collection Of plant and zo- ological specimens, and remarkable photographs of lofty snowcovered mountains which have been the sub jects Of much geographic specula- tion..
 Br. Rock is tbc man who bravcd tigers and wild elephants to locate the trees which yield chaulmoogra oil, used in the treatment of lepro- sy; later found aboriginal tribes in west China praCtiCing Buddhist religious rites, and obtained for our library Of congress a complete set Of the priceless Tibctan classics from the Buddhist monastery at Choni before 1t was destroyed last year. First Foreigner to Visit Mountains On his prascnt expedition pr. Rock devoted his first year to eX- ploration bf the majestic kondaling snow peaks, northwest Of semi-ln- dependent lama kingdom of Muh in the Chinese province of Szcchwan.
 These peaks had not previously been visited by any foreigner. They are situated in the territory infest- cd by Tibetan bandits, and the menace of these bandits has made the area too perilous for exploration. For moro than 20 years not even the natives have circumambulated these peaks. although because these are sacred mountains it is considered highly meritorious to walk around them.
 The expedition explored the peaks on two different occasions. and cross ed among them once. This was done with tho aid of the Muli king who had friendly relations with the head bandit of this lofty stronghold. The bandit chief detailed his own men 10 escort Dr. Rock among the noun tains, and this escort was augmented by small guard assigned to the ex- petition of the Muli chief.
 In the Konkaling area he tra- vorsed the gorgcs Of the Shou Gnu a river whose mouth only had hitherto been known. For clever days the expedition followed thl' river toward its source.
 First Photographs of Lofty
 Minya kOnka
 Last year pr. Rock explored an other region Of southwestern Szcch' wan, where he was the first civilized man to sec, at close range, and the first to photograph, the lofty Mlny& Konka peak. which has so long beer s geographic mystery. Dr. Rocl proceeded over high passes, reach ing a point within four miles of th' top of Minya Konka. and brough back many photographs taken at dis tances ranging from to F miles
 In the vicinity he pursued h,' primary work of collecting botanica and geological specimens.
 Grosvcnor Peak Named
 "Minya konka is surrounded by number Of lofty peaks. All or lnes' save one the explorer found to hav' local names applied by Minya Tibet ans, in many cases the names o local detes. One, which was name less. Dr. Rock named the Grosvcno Peak for the president of the Ma tional Geographic Society.
 Dr. Rock also explored betwcel Muli and Tatsienlu. a large stretch o country hitherto uneXplored eithc from botanical or geographica standpoint. He followed the gorge Of the Yatung river which, in on place, are 12,0G0 feet deep.
 Among the mass of valuable scicn tfc data, and photographs of hig geographic interest brought back h Dr. Rock, are about 20.000 sheets c plants he collected. Many Of thos are rhododendrons not prcviousl collected.
 While he was in the field he shiI