There are relatively few poisonous plants and animals. Learn to recognize and avoid them. In some places, such as the arctic and subarctic regions, there are less than a dozen plants that are

Figure 6-11.-Water hemlock.

poisonous. Included are the water hemlock (fig. 6-11) and poisonous mushrooms shown in figures 6-12 and 6-13.

Poisonous plants are found in the Tropics in no greater proportion than in the United States. When in doubt about whether plants are poisonous or nonpoisonous, use the following rules:

l Observe the habits of vegetable-eating animals, such as birds, rodents, monkeys, baboons, and bears. Usually, the foods these animals eat are safe for humans. Cook all plant foods because cooking removes plant poisons, except those in mushrooms.

l Avoid eating plants that taste bitter. Also avoid eating untested plants that have milky juices. Do not let the milky juice contact your skin. This does not apply to the numerous figs, breadfruits, papaya, and barrel cactus.

l Guard against fungus poisoning from infected heads of cereals or grasses by discarding grain heads having black spurs in place of normal seed grains.

Figure 6-12.-Fly agaric.

Most animal foods that you encounter are edible; but some, like mollusks, may introduce parasites into your body, especially when eaten uncooked or when they are not fresh. Crustaceans are almost always edible; but they spoil rapidly and harbor harmful parasites. Be sure to cook the freshwater variety; eat the saltwater variety raw if you desire.

There are no simple way of telling whether or not a fish is edible. Often fish that are edible in one area are not in another. This depends on the place, their source of food, or even the season of the year. At first, eat only small portions of any fish. If you feel no ill effects, it is probably safe to continue eating the fish.

In the Arctic there is a fish called the sculpin that lays poisonous eggs; the black mussel maybe poisonous at any season, and its poison is as dangerous as strychnine. If you kill a seal or polar bear, do not eat its liver. This liver is too high in vitamin A, which can make you sick Do not eat polar bear meat before it is cooked. It is always diseased.