[Condor51]

the depictions are so accurate they could help researchers spot plants with hitherto unknown medicinal uses.

I am by no means a tree hugger and think Spotted Owl should be a menu item and the Snail Darter sold for bait. But the 'unknown' plants and trees being destroyed in unexplored rain forests Jungles from the Yucatan and the Amazon, Borneo and New Guinea, and even parts of 'darkest' (still unexplored) Africa, does bother me.

Many years back there was documentary of two Dutch explorers who went into the Head Hunter area of New Guinea (not Papua New Guinea). One was stung by a bee that made him completely BLIND for over a week, then his sight returned. Now that type of bee venom is unknown. Who knows what that could be used for. And yes, there could be cure for cancer in one of those plants that may soon be destroyed forever.

And yeah I know the 'natives' are doing this slash and burn clearing for farm land and food, but somehow a middle ground should be struck.

[BGHater]

Great book, btw.

[null and void]

Not the flowers, THE ANTS!

[twigs]

I agree, although I’m not sure about the spotted owl on the menu.