Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-01-27
HUMAN TREES.


How the Eshesl fkobbers OF india fsscaHs
From Thsif Pursusrs.
All those who feel q sufficient Interest
| In the subject to study or notice the
facts must at times Be struck with
amazement at the wonderful resem-
blance OF certain insects and other ami
mails to vegetable snd inanimate objects.
So xact is this resen blance in some in
stances as to deceive the most expert
enced. Wallace, the great naturalist,
was very anxious to secure specimen
of certain brilliant butterfly, but was
unable tor some time To capture one on
account OF the creatures sudden tfiac-
cOuntable and mysterious disappear
auce. He finally discovered that the
outside of this insects wings was an
exact representation Of leaf. when
the butterfly alighted upon shrub and
closed its wings 1t completely deceived
even this experienced scientist. Some
species of Holsters found at Bermuda so
closely resemble submarine stones. even
to the coating of sea weeds, that / have
passed by an aquarium containing them
supposing the tank to be
uninhabited. The common katydid,
whose constantly repeated notes. late in
summer, warn us of the approaching
frosts, has represe ntative in South
America. whose wings not only resem-
BILE green leaf, but. to add to the de-
ception, the tips of the wings are ragged
and discolOred, having the exact appear
ance OF leaf that has been disfigured
from the attacks of caterpillars. / once
bad one in my studio, and it was with
great difficulty that / could convince
visitors that it was not an artificial
insect with wings made of real leaves.
Ia the snow-covered regions of the
North the foxes, hares, bears and birds,
witt very few exceptions, ar sumo the
prevailing white color OF the surround
ing objects. Man has not been blind to
these hints. There are various tribes
OF savages who successfully initiate
stumps and stones by remaining i'm
movable in crouching positions so as to
battle their pursuers.
This mimicry is carried to a wonderful
degree OF perfection in India. That
strange country, as DIR. Latham SAYS,
OF teeming, ingenious, and indus
trious but rarely independent popula-
tion. 1t is country of an ancient lit
erature and ancient architecture" A
country where such society as the
murderous thugs is possible; country
where robbers are educated from child
hood for the profession in which they
takegreat price, openly boasting of their
skill. One of our most skillful and
adroit bank robbers would be considered
by these India experts but bpngling
amateur.
The scientific manner iu which these
robbers prepare for their raids shows
thorough knowledge of the dangers OF
sheir calling, and the best guards against
the same, choosing darkness for their
forays. When their dusky bodies are
least observable they remove their
clothes, anOint themselves with oil, and
with single weapon, a Keen edged knife
suspended from their neck, creep and
steal like shadows noiselessly through
the darkness. If detected. their gre lsy
and slippery bodies assist them in elud.
ing capture, while their razor-bladed
knife dexterously sewers the wrist OF
any OBTAINING hand But the most in
genioEs device TO escape capture is that
SHOWN by he Bheel robbers. It often
happens that band of these robbers are
pursued by mounted Englishmen, and
unable to reach the Jungle, find
themselves about to be Overtaken
upon one of those open plains
which nave been cleared by fire.
tie only shelter in sight being the
blackened trunks or leafess branches of
small trees that perished in the flames.
For men SO skilled in posturing this is
shelter enough. Qrickly divesting
themselves of their scanty clothing,
they scatter it with their plunder in
small piles over the plain, covering
them with their shields SO that they
have the appearance OF Jumps Of earth
and attract no attention. This accom-
prished, they snatch up few sticks,
throw their bodies into contorted posi-
tion, and stand or crouch immovable
until their unsuspicious enemies have
galloped by.
When all is safe tney quickly pick up
their spoil and proceed upon their way.
The Rev. j ID. Woods, gives an inter
esting account of these marvellous
mimics. quote the following:
Before the English had become
used to these maneuvers, a very ludi-
crous incident occurred. An officer,
with party of horse, was chasing a
small body of Bheel robbers, and was
fast overtaking tuem. Suddenly the
rot bers r..n behind rock or some such
obstacle, which hid them for mo-
ment, and when the soldiers came up the
men had mysteriously disappeared.
After an unavailing search, the officer
ordered his men to dismount beside q
clump of scorched and withered trees;
and the day being very hot, be took off
his helmet and hung it on branch by
which he was standing. The branch in
question turned out to be the leg Of
Bheel, who burst into scream Of
laughter, and flung the astonished
officer to the ground. The clump OF
scorched trees suddenly became meta
morphosed into men, and the whole
party dispersed in different directions
before the Englishmen could recover
from their surprise, carrying with them
the off GERS helmet by way Of trophy"
Scientific american
Pottery In the United states.