3 



4. In the third column is a brief description of the plant part 

 you are identifying, as "resembles small apple" or "has three- 

 celled pod." 



5. When you have found the description that you believe 

 best fits the plant you have found, turn to column 6 for the page 

 in the text which illustrates and discusses the plant. 



6. Turn to this page and compare carefully the illustration 

 with the food plant you wish to identify. 



7. If you are satisfied that the two are the same, read the text 

 carefully before eating the food plant. The discussion contains 

 information about eating the food, how to prepare the plant 

 part before eating, and a more detailed description. 



In using the location tables nearly the same procedure should 

 be followed, except that the plant is identified first by the place 

 that it is found growing. Thus column 1 lists the natural 

 habitat of the plant, and column 2 briefly describes the plant 

 itself. When you are reasonably certain that the description is 

 similar to the growing plant, turn to the page of the manual that 

 illustrates and further describes the plant. Use the table merely 

 as a reference guide. The discussion accompanying the illus- 

 tration includes important supplementary information. 



Whenever possible wild plants should be checked with the 

 natives before being eaten. They usually know how emergency 

 plants should be prepared, and those which may be poisonous 

 when eaten raw. They are familiar with the region, and know- 

 ing the dangerous plants, they can be most helpful in times when 

 regular rations are not available. 



Use of Identification and Location Tables. — Included in each 

 section of this manual are tables that will assist the serviceman 

 in more quickly and easily identifying the food plants that he 

 has located. For example, if he finds a pink fruit growing along 

 the seashore, he may use either or both of the tables in section 

 II on the "Location and Identity of Fruits — Wild and Culti- 

 vated." The identification table deals with the colored parts 



