triock: 1. Bonus on touch - the possible status ailment the monster can inflict with a melee attack. If this is followed by a "-", the probability of the effect occurring is greatly reduced.
2. From the manual - Finds treasure or other items hidden in square occupied by party. You should always search after defeating a monster and before moving off the square in which the encounter occurred. However, you do not need to search immediately after combat. You may want to rest, cure wounds, etc. first
1. Interesting. Kinda weird though. I know there are some monsters that inflict status ailments. Giant Scorpions inflict poison for example. But according to my notes about 50% of the monsters I've identified have the "Bonus on touch" modifier including guys like Flesh Eaters, Hippogriffs, Strangling Vines. Never noticed them to do anything but deal normal damage.
2. Yes, I read that part too and I always search after battle. But could there ever be something hidden without having an encounter first? Say, you move onto an empty square, no fight no nothing, you press search and find something?
