FISHER JUNGLE MAY BE CONSIDERED A LARGE (400-700 METERS) FISHER PLANT WITH A STING. MAY ATTACK BIG BIRDS AS WELL AS PONDS. PREY ARE BROUGHT INTO THE JUNGLE TO ROT.

FINGER CACTUS-THE NEWLY BUDDED FORM LOOKS A LITTLE LIKE A GREEN POTATO, WITH EYES. FINGERS SPROUT FROM THE EYES, AND BRANCH AND REBRANCH, UNTIL AN ADULT IN FLOWER MAY BEAR 20-30 FINGERS. EACH FINGER IS TIPPED WITH A SPINE. ANY CREATURE THAT COMES TOO NEAR MAY BE SPEARED; AND THEN ROOTS GROW INTO THE VICTIM. LATER IN LIFE, FINGERS BUD NEW FINGER CACTI. DANGEROUS.

RATHER WOKE BECAUSE HIS EYES BURNED. They were filled with tears. Blinking did no good. The tears were under his eyelids, filling them. The pain had him whimpering. He tried lifting his eyelids with his fingertips to let the water out. That hurt. Mopping his eyes with his tunic brought agony. He couldn't see!

"Carlot?" He remembered that she wasn't with him. They had not returned to the cookfire until all were asleep except Debby, on watch. She had winked at them . . . they had separated . . .

Sleep, then daggers in the eyes. He would not have wanted Carlot to see him like this. But he was alone, and blind!

"Clave? Debby? Anyone?"

Rather could feel bark surrounding him. Yell again? He'd yelled when the silver suit's jets gave out. The memory embarrassed him. He'd had gritty eyes before, when he was tired ... but not like this! "Someone help me! I can't see!"

"Rather?"

"Debby? My eyes are on fire and I don't know why!"

Her hands were cool and rough on his cheeks. "Open

them."

"I can't..." He got them open, just a slit for just a moment. The light was agony.

"They're bright red. I'U get Clave. Don't loose your tether."

"No way!"

The pain grew no worse and no better. It was a long time before he heard voices.

"Rather?"

"Clave! What's wrong with me?"

Long fingers held his head still; thumbs lifted his eyelids. "You're not blind. You're not dying either. It's an allergy attack. Your father used to get this way when Dalton-Quinn Tree was dying of the drought. We were too far in toward Voy. Dry, thin air and not enough sleep."

"What do I do?"

"Gavving mostly suffered. In half a day he'd be over it. Don't rub your eyes. Let me think."

It seemed to hurt less now that he knew it would go away. It hadn't killed Gavving. And if they both had the same allergy, then- He's really my father! I should tell him! Mother too . . . and Mark? But the pain was more urgent. "Clave, if this happens when I don't sleep, and I can't sleep because it hurts too much . . . Clave?"

His line went slack. "I've thought of something. Just relax. I'll tow you."

"Kendy for the State-"

"Kendy? Treefodder! It's been a long time."