They arrived at Qimai Mountain in Sencheng again. I heard that Ye Chizhao had been here before and studied the irrigation system here.
The east side has been blocked and cannot be passed. They had to go around to the west.
They put on some clothes and sprayed them with medicine to prevent mosquito bites.
Xu Jingsi said: "When we look around here, we don't just follow the trails in the forest, we also look at other places and remote places."
They walked south first, and then continued east.
The trees are tall and block out the sky and the sun. Walking in the woods, stepping on the thick fallen leaves makes a crunching sound.
They also paid attention to look deep into the forest to avoid wild beasts and poisonous insects.
Feiyan said: "Wait, be careful, look ahead, there is a big spider."
There were indeed a few big spiders lying on the trees in front of them, looking over here.
Xu Jingsi said: "It looks like this is a black widow spider."
The black widow spider is a spider with strong neurotoxin. If a person is bitten, it may cause severe muscle pain.
Male and female spiders can be distinguished by their appearance. Adult female black widow spiders have a bright black abdomen with a red hourglass-shaped mark. Approximately 38mm long with leg span. The body is approximately 13 mm long. Male black widow spiders are about half the size of female spiders. They have longer legs and smaller abdomens relative to their bodies. They are dark brown in color with yellow stripes and a yellow hourglass mark.
When prey becomes entangled in the web, the black widow spider quickly swoops out from its perch, securely wraps the prey in its tough web, then pierces the prey and injects its poison. The toxin takes effect in about 10 minutes. When the prey's movement ceases, the spider injects digestive enzymes into the wound.
They walked to the left, and several spiders slowly moved to the left. They walked to the right again, and several spiders slowly moved to the right.
Everyone picked up sticks and moved forward slowly to prevent the spider from getting close.
Several spiders rushed over, picked up sticks and beat it out.
Shao Zheng said: "What if there are more spiders?"
Xu Jingsi said: "I took out the insecticide from the bag."
Shao Zheng said: "Insecticide is used to kill flies and cockroaches, right? Can it be used here?"
Xu Jingsi said: "This is a powerful type. Use it first."
More spiders surrounded him. Xu Jingsi took out the insecticide and sprayed it on them.
This insecticide had some effect on the spider. The spider staggered and was affected. The spiders behind it took a few steps back and did not dare to continue the surrounding attack.
They took the opportunity and rushed over. The spider chased me from behind, coming like running water. But after a while I stopped chasing.
Shao Zheng said: "They are no longer chasing me. Is there something?"
He looked ahead cautiously, but there were no animals.
Xu Jingsi said: "Look at the sky, it's a bird that screams at the sky."
The skybird is a strong flier and likes to fly freely over the forest. Its feathers are beautiful reds and blues, shining with the rays of the sun. Its wings are wide and strong, allowing it to glide freely through the air.
It spread its wings and flew quickly through the gaps in the trees. Its flying posture is elegant and flexible, sometimes hovering, sometimes swooping, and sometimes flipping, as if dancing. Its flight speed is fast and stable, and people can't help but be fascinated by its freedom and elegance.
It likes to search for food and habitat above the forest. It is good at catching insects and small animals. It must have been that the spiders encountered these birds and were scared away. They also like to rest in the treetops, admiring the beauty of the forest and socializing with other birds.
Its flying abilities are amazing and it can fly over the forest for hours without getting tired. Its eyesight is sharp and can quickly detect potential prey and danger. Its ears are also very keen and can hear distant sounds so that it can respond in time.
This bird is the guardian of the forest, patrolling and protecting its territory by flying. Its presence gives the forest a mysterious and beautiful atmosphere.
Feiyan said: "Have you ever heard of this kind of bird?"
Shao Zheng said: "I have never heard of it, and I have never seen it."
Xu Jingsi said: "I heard about the forest in Bingcheng many years ago."
Gradually, a faint floral fragrance can be smelled. Then walking forward, there is indeed a large field of flowers.
Come closer and look. It is azalea, colorful, including red, pink, yellow, purple, etc. The flowers have five petals. Some are bell-shaped, some are funnel-shaped, and some are flat. Rhododendron is a spring-flowering plant, with its flowering period generally between March and June. They prefer sunny conditions and are adaptable and can grow in different soil types.
Rhododendrons have different symbolic meanings in different cultures. In some areas, azaleas are considered a symbol of love and romance. In some areas, rhododendron is also used as a traditional herbal medicine.
Feiyan said: "This place is also good as a garden. I wonder if anyone lives nearby?"
Shao Zheng said: "There may be wild animals and snakes nearby. It's not good to live here."
We walked a long way and saw some houses in the distance.
But when you get closer, these houses look particularly strange. Some look like cabins in the trees.
Shao Zheng and Feiyan walked up to take a look.
Xu Jingsi looked around the house.
Shao Zheng said: "The one above is relatively empty, with some simple furniture, wooden cabinets, and wooden tables."
Feiyan said: "The wall outside is not smooth. It seems to be made directly from unprocessed wood."
Xu Jingsi said: "Have you heard that a plant was recently discovered that can grow into a house on its own?"
Shao Zheng said: "Is it this? It's too close to a house. It's like it was built artificially."
Xu Jingsi said: "And I heard that it has a long history."
Feiyan said: "Then find a way to determine how old it is."
Xu Jingsi said: "Look at the soil next to it and the plant itself."
Several methods can be used to determine the age of soil and rocks in land faults. By comparing the relative positions of different soil or rock layers, using the decay process of radioactive isotopes, and by studying fossils, sporopollen or other biomarkers in soil or rocks.
To trace the emergence time of a certain plant, you can use the following methods. Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient organisms that can provide information about plants by studying the fossil record. Scientists can determine when plants appeared by analyzing and comparing fossils. Molecular clock is an analysis method based on DNA or protein sequences that can estimate the evolutionary time of species. By comparing the genomes of different species, their common ancestor and divergence time can be inferred. Strata are layers of sediment from different periods on the Earth's surface that contain the remains of plants. The decay rates of certain radioactive isotopes are known, and by measuring the amounts of these isotopes in a plant, the age of the plant can be inferred.
Shao Zheng tried it with a simple detection instrument and said: "It has indeed been a long time. But I don't know when this plant first appeared."
