The author has conducted no original research, but has simply assembled
information provided by others who have made painstaking scientific
investigations into the lives, habits, and poisons of desert creatures.
To these men all credit for the information contained herein is due.
The writer considers it a privilege to present partially herein the
results of work conducted by Dr. Herbert L. Stahnke, Poisonous Animals
Laboratory, Arizona State University, on scorpions and other poisonous
creatures.
Valuable assistance has been obtained from Dr. Howard K. Gloyd, former
director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. To Laurence M. Klauber and
the late C. B. Perkins, formerly of the San Diego Museum of Natural
History, are expressed our thanks for much valuable information relative
to poisonous snakes.
The help and cooperation of Dr. Sherwin F. Wood of Los Angeles City
College has made possible inclusion of the section on the conenose bug.
The late Dr. Forest Shreve, for many years director of the Desert
Laboratory in Tucson, and the late Dr. Charles Vorhies, zoologist at the
University of Arizona, proved to be founts of knowledge regarding plant
and animal life of the desert. The late Dr. C. P. Russell, of the
National Park Service, checked many statements to assure accuracy.
We are indebted to Dr. W. Ray Jones, physician and hobby beekeeper in
Seattle, Washington for his findings on, and treatment of, bee-sting
poisoning. Also to Dr. F. A. Shannon of Wickenburg, Arizona for his
especially helpful commentary. We take this opportunity to thank Dr.
Paul Wehrle, entomologist, University of Arizona, and Dr. W. J. Gertsch
of the American Museum of Natural History, for kindly checking the
contents for authenticity.
[Illustration: _Map of western United States and Mexico showing
location of deserts_]