TROPICAL FORESTS 
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frogs, monkeys, and insects, and other small creatures that 
exist there in greater numbers than you will ever find in the 
more northern countries. Even though the movies have taught 
you that life in the jungle is just one narrow escape after 
another from leopards, tigers, elephants, and other unpleasant 
creatures, you probably won’t see any of them at all because 
many places don’t have them, and where they are present they 
make every effort to avoid contact with man. The most you 
can expect to see in the way of animals will be birds, squirrels, 
hares, monkeys, and other small forms that are active during 
the day. None of them is dangerous, if left alone. 
WATER 
Water will not prove to be so much of a problem in most 
tropical forests as on small atolls and desert islands. In areas 
of heavy rainfall the earth is so soaked with moisture that a 
small hole dug in any low spot will yield water. Then there are 
streams, ponds, springs, and places where water collects from 
rain and seepage. The main problem is one of purity and no sur- 
face water should toe drunk without toeing tooiled or chemically 
treated. In higher portions of the mountains on large islands 
and the mainland the water from swiftly flowing streams and 
springs may be used without treatment if absolutely necessary, 
but even then you will be taking a chance. 
In forested areas there frequently are ferns and so-called air- 
plants in the trees. The bases of the leaves of these plants col- 
lect and hold water for a long time. When strained through 
a cloth the water is safe to drink ; it contains no pollution from 
human sources. Dew can be collected by spreading a piece of 
