Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-23
THE .ARRon prABoLI.
A Vegetable DnrniyOra Of the Sierr
VIndraa.

A Vegetable DnrnivOrA OF fbe sierra
Nhadres.
Chihuahua, Mex, Correspondence Globe-Dem-
ocrat
On one Of these expeditions I noticed a
dark object on one Of the outlying spurs
of the Sierra Madre Mountains, which
object excited my curiosity so much that
that examined 1t carefully through my
field. glass. This revealed that the object
was tree or shrub OF such an unusuRl
appearance that l resolved to visit the
spot.
rode to the mountain, the sides OF
which sloped sufficiently for me TO make
my way on horseback to within a few
yards of the summit. But here was
stopped by an abrupt rise so steep that
despaired of reaching it even on foot. /
went around il several times seeking for
some way to climb up, bnt the Jagged,
beetling rocks afforded not the slightest
foothold. On the top of this knob stands
the tree had seen. From the spot on
which I now stood I could see that it
somewhat resembled In form the weeping
willow, but the long, dropping whip. like
limbs were of dark and apparently
Shiny appearance, and seemed possessed
OF horrible life. like power OF coiling
and uncoiiing. Occasionally the whole
tree would seem o writhing, squirming
mass.
My desire to Investigate this strange
vegetable product increased on each Of
the many expeditions made to the spot,
and at last saw sight ons day which
made me believe had certainly discov-
cred an unhesrd.of thing. A bird which
| hod xratnhCd ntralfnn ak0.at fAF mi
time tioally settled upon the top of the
tree, hen the branches began to awaken,
as 1t were, and to curl upward. They
twined and twisted like snakes about the
bird, which began to screaul, and drew II
! down In their fearful embrace until
lost sight of IL. Horror stricken seized
the nearest rock in I'M attempt to clint
the knob. l had SO often tried In vain Il
/ do this that was not surprised when
fell back, but the rock was loosened and
| fell also. 1t narrowly missed me, bu
sprang up unhurt, and saw that the
fallen rock had left considerable cavity
1 put my face to it and looked in
Something like cavern, the floor o
which had an upward tendency, met m!
sight, and / felt q current of fresh Of
blowing on me, with dry earthly smell
Evidently there was another opening
somewhere, undoubtedly at the summit
Using my trowel, which always carriet
on my botsnizing expeditions, enlarge,
the hole, and then pushed my way al
through the passage. When had nearl
reached the top looked ont oautiousi,
to see ii should emerge within reach o
that dlaboiical tree. But / found
nowhere near the aperture, so | spran
out. was Just in time to see the hattene
CARCASS OF the bird drop to the ground
which was covered with bones end feather
went back next day carrying half
dozen chickens with which to feed th
tree. The moment tossed 1t the fowl
violent agitation shook its branches
which swayed to and fro with sinuout
snaky motion. After devouring tn
fowls these branches, fully gorged
dropped to their former position and th
tree, giving no sisn of animation, ] dare
approach II and take the limbs In m
hand. They were covered with suokeri
resembling the tentscies of an octopu.
The blood OF the fowls had been absorbe
by these sucksrs, leaving crimson stair
on the dark surface. There was no fol
age OF course of any kind.
Without speaking OF my discovery {
any one about, wrote an account Of
to the world-famous botauist Pr6tessl
Wordenhaupt of the University I
Heidelburg. His reply states that m
tree is the Arbor DIsboli, only two spec
mems OF which have ever been known
! one on peak OF the Himaleyas and Ii
other on the island Of Sumatra. Mine
the third.