Sharp County record., 1881-05-19
Luminous Plants.

While prospecting on a spur OF the
mountains near MeSilla, New Mexico,
recently, one of party of miners no.
ticed in wrenching his pick from the
loose rock a cold current OF air. Anoth-
er blow laid bare a cavity, and a de-
termined assault on the broken shale
soon showed an opening passage that
led into the rock at downward angle
of about forty-ive degrees. The hole
was enlarged and found sufficient to
admit mans body. Several lighted
pieces of brush we're hurled in, and
three of the men, Steadied by larlat
held bv the others, started down the
tunnel under the mountain. The pas
sage was rough and uneven, and about
four feet high, and, after thirty feet,
suddenly turned to the left. A candle
was lit, and by its light they found
twenty feet further large hall-a hall
OF pillars, so completely was it filled
with long, delicate columns, reaching
from the floor upward out OF sight.
They were stalactites hanging from the
walls in endless variety, while from the
floor rose rich stalagmites meeting them
and forming figures of all conceivable
shapes. Water dripped from above,
showing that the work of cOlumn-mak-
inc was ever going on, while a death
like chill did not add to the comfort OF
the surroundings. The men were about
to venture into the labyrinth, when the
one holding the candle slipped and
dropped it. Nothing could be done but
to follow the larlat back, bat as their
eyes became accustomed to the gloom
curious phenomenon appeared In
various parts of the cave luminous spots
of light were seen. Some near them
gave out fitful flashes Of flame, while
others seemed like moons, glowing
with peculiar pale yellow light;
others again were of irregular shape,
that made the darkness more aD-
parent. Every move revealed new
wonders. Oval balls Of light blazed
from behind the columns, confronting
them at every step, while as far as they
could see, cleaning and sparkling, the
mysterious lights appeared, making the
cavern a realization of old tales OF en-
chantment One of the men struck at
one of the glowing spots and knocked it
down. Carefully taking up the object
that still glowed but gave out no heat,
they felt their way into outer air only
to find that they carried an insignificant
toad-stool, a fungus that lost its glow in
the daylight. The subterranean plant
for such it was, is generally found in
mines and is known to science as the
RhizOnlOrpha SubterrGnea, and is allied
to the edible mushroom.
Many of our native flowers, especial
ly the yellow and bright-tinted ones,
such as the suntlower, marigold, etc.,
have often been observed giving out
minute flashes Of phosphorescent light
soon after sunset, while The exhibition
given at times by the oriental poppy,
probably by the oxidation OF some
hydro carbon it secretes, is extremely
wonderful. Poke weed at certain
times, CLEANS with the richest tint, and
explains some of the mysterious lights
that are often seen by the believers in
ghosts.
A Brazilian plant the cipo, makes a
wonderful display of pyrotechnics.
When bruised or cut it gives out a
milky fluid that at night blazes with
light for hours after Certain tribes in
the interior use it in some of their rites.
A certain number of captives taken in
battle are decapitated and their heads
tanned by secret process that leaves
them like polished leather The eyes
are replaced with peccary teeth. bend
inc outward. while the mouth is also
ornamented in similar manner, giving
the head a most ferocious appearance.
The long black hair is allowed TO hang
loose. and the flesh around the neck is
carefully drawn together, forming a
socket. Into this is inserted the end OF
long pole. The head is then decorat-
ed with fantastic tassels of various kinds
and a string attached to the chin. At
nightfall the whole is set off with the
luminous milk of the cipo. The pole is
raised and planted and the head KEEP,
moving bv the wind and liberal use OF
tho strinu tS-nhnStlE--an-4oa Ia 12aa,
glowing With reddish light, would un
doubtedly frighten the evil spirits, il
there were any, as that is its purpose
~ Y. SaH.
"A celery garden of forty-six acres
believed to he the largest in the world
is cultivated in the suburbs OF London