D MISC. PUBLICATION 568, IT. S. DEP'T. OF AGRICULTURE 



Chiggers are said to be spread commonly by pigs, but they often occur 

 on bathing beaches. One should never go barefooted, even indoors. 



The larger animals usually will not be seen and ordinarily need not be 

 feared unless they are wounded or protecting their young. Perhaps the 

 most dangerous that one may encounter are wild pigs or j avails. They 

 run in droves and will attack a man without hesitation. The best way 

 to elude them is to climb a tree at once. 



A ferocious fish occurs in some rivers of the Guianas and some tribu- 

 taries of the Amazon. This is the famed piranha, the stories about 

 which are not exaggerated. A man or animal with any sort of wound on 

 the body going into the water where these fish abound is certain to be 

 attacked instantly and severely mutilated if not devoured. Any thrash- 

 ing about in the water will attract numbers of the piranha. Many people 

 have lost fingers by merely reaching into the water, or even by letting a 

 hand trail over the side of a canoe. 



Fungus infections of the skin may be prevalent in hot, humid sections 

 of the Tropics. There are various types of fungus diseases, and no one 

 remedy is specific for all of them or for all people. The best all-around 

 preventive probably is the regular use of a good antiseptic soap and 

 keeping the skin as dry as possible. 



These are the pests and dangers most commonly encountered. Others 

 occur in isolated sections but need not be discussed here, since the 

 traveler would be warned of them by the natives should he visit the 

 particular areas. 



A collector going into a foreign country should feel obliged to learn 

 the language or dialect of the region, especially if he plans to gather 

 first-hand information concerning native lore relating to natural-history 

 objects. Of course, one may depend upon the services of an interpreter, 

 but good ones are not always available. Furthermore, contact with 

 natives through an interpreter even at best is impersonal and unsatis- 

 factory. People of any country are more disposed to be friendly to a 

 foreigner who attempts to speak their language. 



Provincial people in any country are naturally curious about a for- 

 eigner, and so a newcomer should make it his business to be tactful and 

 understanding. Really successful relationship with other peoples calls 

 for more than just speaking their language, because mutual friendship, 

 whether between individuals or nations, must be based on sincerity. 

 The successful explorer will leave behind all prejudices and will accept 

 the new people he encounters on a basis of equality. 



Photography 



Good habit photographs of plants in the open are possible, provided 

 the background gives sufficient contrast. The sk3 T , a body of water, or 

 even the bare earth all make good backgrounds, but often plants are 

 located in such a way that one cannot take advantage of any such 

 desirable background. If a plant is sufficiently isolated from surrounding 

 vegetation, good pictures can sometimes be made by careful focusing 

 and by due consideration for light values. Or if a plant is small enough, 

 an artificial background can be created by stretching a piece of gauze 

 netting behind the plant. Sharp definition is difficult to secure when 

 plants are growing thickly matted together, as is usually the case under 

 tropical conditions. Sometimes the surrounding growth can be cut 

 down to admit light and to give prominence to a particular plant. 



