dean miller - 1-20-2010 at 12:41 PM
POISONOUS AND VENOMOUS MARINE ANIMALS OF THE WORLD
DR. BRUCE HALSTEAD
After reading the responses to the fugu thread I thought it just might be appropriate to familiarize some of the interested readers as to availability
of resource books on dangerous marine life
Back ground:
I first met Dr Halstead about 1957 at a party at Bob Rutherford's home in Anaheim California. During that party and later on numerous chance
meetings he repeatedly invited me to accompany him on his expeditions being conducted to collect and photograph samples for his future book. I had
just purchased my first home and was entering the civilian job market after service as an USA officer, so graciously declined, besides I would
probably have been stung or bitten--or eaten-- ( I now have had enough stings ,bites and acres and acres of scares to last two life times.)
Bruce and I met socially and professionally periodically over the years. During some of these meetings I had him inscribe his latest work to
me--five in total.
He passed on to the big reef in the sky in 2002 and was buried with out fanfare or recognition of the contribution he left the world of recreational
diving and medicine
I last had contact with his family was with his first wife a few years ago at the second marriage of Bob Rutherford's wife Sheri to Red Frazier.
(There is a picture of Sheri and Bob in the article "Sea Sabres signaling system " at WWW. portagequarry.com, Legends of diving-- -of interest
in the picture maybe the fully rigged Samson spear gun in the foreground-great for Baja!)
Now you know at least a part of the saga of these books....dm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr Halstead "Poisonous and venomous Marine Animals of the world" by Dr Bruce Halstead, LCCC 65-60000, is a - a monumental three volume set.that
consumed 23 years of intensive research to produce. There was nothing like it published prior to his research and certainly nothing of this
magnitude will probably never published by future researchers.
A very brief description of these volumes is as follows;
Hard picture cover with out dust jackets published in 1965 by the US Government printing office. This work is the base line which all present and
certainly future research will be based. Volume 1 is 994 Pages, Volume 11 consists of 1070 pages and volume three consists of 1006 8 -1/2 X 11 well
illustrated pages. It has been recognized since it's publication over 40 years ago as the definitive base line work on dangerous marine life.
It's original publication price was $160.00 hard earned Yankee dollars. Some years ago a beat up well used research set sold for $750.00 on E bay,
currently the set is being sold around the $600.00 price range, so I suspect that most do not have or have never seen or possibly heard of the set.
Yes I have the three volume set -- Inscribed to me by Dr Halstead
There are several less expensive books also by Dr Halstead that is addressed to the layman. They are:
"Dangerous marine Animals-that bite, sting -are non-edible" published 1959,Cornell Maritime press, LCCC 58-59799, 146 pages, hard cover with dust
jacket
The second edition;
"Dangerous marine Animals-that bite, sting -are non-edible" was revised and enlarged was published in 1980, ISBN 0- 87033-268-6, 208 pages, picture
cover, no dust jacket.
Yes I have both editions inscribed to me by Dr Halstead.
The third book "Poisonous Marine Animals" by Findlay E. Russell, published 1965 by T. F. Publications Ltd, Hong Kong, no ISBN or LCCC
numbers,distributed by F publications office in Neptune City New Jersey, 176 pages, picture cover, no dust jacket. Mr. (Dr?) Russell was associated
with SC and the SC Medical center. His correct title or position is unknown. Much of the verbiage and illustrations are from Dr Halstead's
previously mentioned work.
I purchased the book while attending a conference in the mid- west or possibly the east coast. I do not recall ever seeing the book in the local
southern California stores.
It is noted that the book was also distributed in England, Canada, Singapore, and Australia,"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would strongly recommend to those of you who are serious about pole or spear fishing or those who travel or live in the isolated areas of Baja that
you acquire on of the later three books, especially the Halstead books as a handy reference. The Halstead books were very popular when originally
published and are still some what common on the shelves of SoCal used book dealers and I would suspect also available from the on line used book
merchants.
Paulina - 1-20-2010 at 02:19 PM
Dean Miller,
Do you know if sea sponges toxic? The reason I ask is because over the Christmas holiday our Boerboel pup was playing with a large, dark red/orange
sea sponge in Bahia de Los Angeles. He did a good job at chewing it up as he threw it around like a ball.
Within minutes he was staggering, head down, unable to focus his eyes, lethargic and very thirsty. He lied down and started shivering uncontrollably.
He vomited about 20 min. later, then again about an hour after that. By the evening he was back to his old 4.5 mo. old self.
We had been on guard for puffers, but didn't know to add sponges to the list.
Thanks,
P<*)))>{
dean miller - 1-20-2010 at 05:22 PM
Was your pup close to the le Cocqs?
They are known to poisonous to every thing...man and beast
Dr.Halstead wrote a book of three volumes and 3000 plus pages on dangerous marine life I some how suspect that sponges just may also be toxic
There are a lot of pages to review but I will check out sponges and respond at a later date..
dm
Paulina - 1-20-2010 at 08:48 PM
I am looking forward to the outcome of your review!
P<*)))>{
Skipjack Joe - 1-20-2010 at 10:02 PM
Lots of links come up, Paulina. Here's one. He claims it gives them a competitive edge. Another states that the number of toxic species increases as
you approach the tropics.
http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/education/resources/biodiscovery/03sponges-and-corals/why-are-sponges-so-toxic.html
Paulina - 1-21-2010 at 02:47 PM
Thanks!
That sponge must have thought Carter was a giant sea cucumber on the attack and let him have it full force!
P<*)))>{
dean miller - 1-22-2010 at 08:45 AM
Apparently you have your answer...
I will halt my reseach.
Good luck to your dog and you,
sdm