166 



PSYCHE. 



[January iSgS 



involve suftering and serious conse- 

 quences. The first question to be asked 

 regarding a journey is in respect to 

 where water may be obtained. Keep 

 the mouth shut during exposure and eat 

 juicy fruits, thus lessening the desire 

 for water. In many places the water 

 is more or less alkaline in character (as 

 may be recognized by a slightly sweet- 

 ish taste) and acts rather powerfully , 

 but the free use of lime-juice, acid phos- 

 phate, or fresh acid fruits neutralizes 

 tiiis tendency. The amount of water 

 and juicy fruit that may be consumed 

 without bad results in the dry atmos- 

 phere of the southwest is astonishing. 

 People usually lose flesh rapidly during 

 the first few weeks' exposure. 



In the hotter regions, when a consid- 

 erable distance is to be covered, or 

 when climbing mountains, it is advisable 

 to ride if possible, especially if unaccus- 

 tomed to physical exertion in hot 

 weather. For climbing, choose the 

 coolest part of the day. Snow-covered 

 mountains should on no account be 

 attempted without a companion, prefer- 

 ably a competent guide, as even a 

 slight accident is likely to be followed 

 by serious results. Carry a compass 

 (a watch-charm is sufficient) and use it 

 when on mountains where clouds are 

 liable to form at any time, and in the 

 forest when leaving the trail. Do not 

 go far from a trail unless familiar with 

 the region or provided with a specially 

 developed bump of locality. When at 

 a distance from supplies abstain from 

 consuming the last of either food or 

 water until more is directly at hand, — 



unforeseen emergencies may arise. It 

 is desirable to carry lunch on railway 

 journeys as delays are of frequent occur- 

 rence. Before setting out on a trip 

 into wild country get all information 

 possible regarding the route, preferably 

 fiom several persons. Rely upon state- 

 ments of no single person unless he is 

 thoroughly familiar with the country. 

 Information regarding points along the 

 railroad may often be obtained from 

 train-men, particularly those on freight- 

 trains. 



Footsoreness can be prevented by 

 wearing thick-soled shoes, or by a dif- 

 ferent method of walking, using other 

 muscles and pressing less upon the ball 

 of the foot. Chafing and blisters can 

 be prevented by the use of hard soap 

 moistened and rubbed upon the inside 

 of the socks where needed. This is 

 especially cooling and grateful to feet 

 imaccustomed to the burning soil of 

 the desert regions. 



Drying out material. In damp 

 weather and on the sea-coast it may be 

 necessary to dry material by artificial 

 heat. This ma\ be done by hanging 

 the boxes in a net over a lamp or gas- 

 burner. In case mould is feared pow- 

 dered naphthaline should be sprinkled 

 among the specimens. 



Poisonous anintals and plants. 

 Mosquitoes are rarely troublesome, only 

 on salt-marshes and about standing 

 water, and a mosquito-curtain is sel- 

 dom needed. House-flies are abundant 

 and extremely persistent. Fleas are 

 only too common but cannot always be 

 caught when desired. Scorpions are 



