24-25 QUARTERMASTER CORPS 



poisoned, is the same as that indicated for poison ivy infec- 

 tions. These plants are not very dangerous. Local names: 

 Rdngas, ringasputeh, kdju-sdju, lewer, lenat, renat lauldsi, 

 ingas, tilik, dgas, andgas, handgas, libas, ligas, Idngas.pdrau, 

 pdnau, tohnget, tongot, tschongot. 



Section XTV 



PLANTS USED TO STUPEFY FISH 



Paragraph 



Plants in general 25 



Specific plants 26 



■ 25. Plants in General. — a. In many parts of the region 

 covered by this manual portions of several different kinds 

 of plants are used to stupefy fish, both those found in tide 

 pools and in small streams. The methods vary, but the 

 usual one is to pound or crush the plant parts used, mix 

 with water, and throw a sufficiently large quantity of the 

 material into pools which the fish inhabit. In streams the 

 material is always placed at the upper end of a quiet pool, 

 thus permitting the current to spread it. Usually large 

 quantities of this mixture must be used. The fish are suf- 

 focated, and usually come to the surface belly up; they can 

 then be taken easily. The materials used for this purpose in 

 no manner affect the flesh, and fish thus secured can be 

 eaten with entire safety. Whenever possible seek the advice 

 of friendly natives as to what plants and what plant parts 

 may he used for this purpose and how they are used. 



b. The most commonly used and most commonly available 

 plants are different types of Derris (par. 26&), all woody 

 vines, widely known as tuba, and also as tugli, tubli, kaju 

 tuba, toba, mombul, manengop, yup, duup, duva and nathon. 

 The fish poison is most abundant in the roots, but in pre- 

 paring the material both the roots and other parts of the 

 plants are pounded and thrown into the water. Derris is 

 the most efficient of the various plants used. The large 

 one-seeded fruits of Barringtonia asiatica (par. 26d) are 

 also used. This is a large tree with large, very smooth 

 leaves, pink flowers, and one-seeded fruits that are square in 

 cross-section. Its natural habitat is only along tho seashore 



132 



