LANDFALL AND ISLAND SURVIVAL 
51 
color. As a rule they are either yellowish gray or blackish 
in color, often having flecks or patches of red or orange that 
give them a mottled appearance like the floor of the sea. 
When wading on a reef you should keep careful watch for 
such fish. Make it a rule to carry a long sharp pole or bamboo 
stick and poke any suspicious looking object on the bottom. 
At the slightest touch each of the projecting spines on these 
fish injects venom and causes severe pain. A full charge of 
venom from the whole dorsal fin has been known to cause death. 
The next most dangerous after the scorpion fish are the 
sting rays. These occur in lagoons, shallow bays, estuaries, and 
far up many of the tropical rivers. They usually lie on the bot- 
tom concealed in the mud or sand. Sting rays are easily 
recognized when seen. (Fig. 13-C.) The tail may be long or 
very short, and is armed with one or two long, sharp-pointed 
spines with serrated edges. When stepped upon, the ray re- 
peatedly whips its tail upward with great force and fury and 
may drive the spine clear through one of the bones of the leg 
or foot as well as through the flesh. The pain is most severe 
and infection usually results. When walking in turbid or muddy 
water or over sandy or muddy bottom, poke ahead of you with 
your stick and do not pick your feet up and set them down in the 
usual manner. Slide them along in the mud. Should your feet 
touch a hidden sting ray it will swim away as fast as it can. 
If you set your foot squarely on one, however, your weight will 
anchor it down and give the tail the leverage needed to drive 
the spine into you. 
Some catfish have poison glands at the base of the spines 
on the breast fin. This venom is much like that of bees, caus- 
ing severe pain, but it is not deadly. Since some of the larger 
catfish have barbed spines, the wound made is jagged and 
secondary infection may occur. 
