Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1919 — DIRE MENACE TO TRAVELER [ARTICLE]

DIRE MENACE TO TRAVELER

Stinging Tree of Queeneland le Frequently Fatal to Unobaervinfl or Too Careless Hunter. Although the tropical shrubs of Queensland are luxuriant and beautiful, they are not without their dangerous drawbacks, for there is one giant among them that is deadly in Its effects. This Is the stinging tree. If a certain portion of the traveler’s body Is burned by the stinging tree death will follow. “Sometimes while shooting turkeys In the scrubs* I have entirely forgotten the stinging tree till warned of Its close proximity by Its smell,’* said a visitor to Queensland. “I was only once stung, and that very lightly. Its effects are curious; It leaves no mark, but the pain is maddening, and for months afterward the part when touched is tender, in rainy weather or when it gets*wet in washing. “I have seen a man who treats ordinary pain lightly roll on the ground in agony after being stung, and I have known a horse so completely mad, after getting into a grove of these trees, that he rushed open-mouthed at everyone who approached him and had to be shot. Dogs, when stung, will rush about whining piteously, biting pieces from the affected part. The small stinging trees, a few Inches high, are as dangerous as any, being hard to see and seriously Impeding one’s ankles.” The stinging tree emits a peculiar and disagreeable smell. It is best known, however, by its leaf, which is nearly round and has a point at the top.