Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-10-26
Tn. Rl0oi.snekIng Tree.

ua, MeAlCOi WINS ~
q Iouis Globe. Democrat about a
singular discovery which he recently
made:
have taken much interest in the
study OF botany during my sojourn
in this country, the libra OF when
presents one Of the richest fields Tor
the scientist in the world, and have
wandered some distance IRON town
on several occasions in my search Of
specimens.
On one of these expeditionsl motto
ed a dark object on one OF the out
lying spurs Of the Sierre Madre
mountains, which object excited my
curiosity so much that ! examined
it carefully through my field glass.
This revealed that the object was a
tree or shrub OF such unusual APP
pearance that resolved to visit the
spot.
lrodeup to the mountain, hesides
OF which sloped sufficiently for me TO
make my way on horseback TO with
in a few rods oil 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 70 climb mp,
but the Jagged, beetling rocks ai-
lorded not the slightest ioutholG.
On the top OF this knob stands the
tree had seen.
From the spot on which ] now
stood | could see that il somewhat
resembled in form the weeping VIII
low, but the long, dropping. whip
like limbs were Of a dark and
apparently slimsy appearance,
and seemed possessed OF "A hOr.
rible lite-like power Of cOiling and
uncoiling Occasionally ths whole
tree would seem writhing, squiEm'
ing mass.
Ny desire to investigate this
strange vegetable produce increased
or each ~ the many expeditions
made to the spot, and AZ hast | saw
sight one day which made me b..
lieye | had discovered mn nnhsar,l-Oi'
thing.
A bird, which | had watched circ.
ling about for some time, finally set
tied on the top Of the tree, when the
branches began 10 awaken AZ il werc,
and to curl upward.
They twined and twisted ike snakes
about the bird which began 10
scream, and drew il down In their
fearful embrace until / lost sight og
il.
Horror-stricken, | seized tho near.
est rock in an attempt to climb tbs
knob. ! had SO often tried In vain
to do this that was not surprised
when | fell hack, but the rock was
lonsened and fell also.
II narrowly missed me, hut I
sprang M unhurt, and saw that the
fallen rock had leit considerable
cnyity. put my face TO Il and
looked in. Something like cavern,
the floor OF which had IN upward
tendency, met my sight, and relt n
current fresh mir blowing on me.
with "A dry uneurthly smell.
Evidently there was nuother omen.
ing somewhere, undoubtedly at tho
summit.
Using my trowcl, which | alwnys
carried on my botnnifing eSpedi.
tons, enlarged the hole. and then
pushed my way through the passage.
When had nearly reached the top,
| looked out cautiously 10 see II /
should emerge within reach Of TINT
dlabolical tree. But found Il no.
out.
was just in time TO sec tho Ant.
tened carcass OF the bird drop TO tho
ground, which was covered Wi.b
bones and feathers. / approached ns
closely MS dared and examined tho
tree.
II was low in size, not more than
twenty feet high, but covering n
thick area. Its trunk wns ~ nro.
dlglous thickness, knotted and scntv
From the top OF this trunk n fcw
leetirom theground, it's Shiny branch.
es curved upw ard and downward
nearly touching theground with thei,
tapering tips.
lts appearance WINS that of n ri.
gantic tarantula awaiting its nrev
! On my yenturipg toiIightly toncb
one OF the limbs, IL closed rpon my
hand with such force TINT whom /
tore 1t loose the skin cnme with Il
decended then and closing tho ms.
sage returned home. went Incl
next day, carrying hall a dozen chicL
ems with which to feed the tree
Inc moment | tossed In tho fo,vIs
aVloient agitation shook its brnnch.
=, which swayed to and fro with n
slnuous, shaky motion. -" "
Alter devouring the fo.yla ,ho..
branches, iully gorged, dtopned ~
tneir former position, and. liz tr ~
giving no sign Of animation doreJ
approach 1t and take the limbs l.
my hand. VIC n''ios IN
hey were covered with suclors
resembling the tentnclea ~ $50 -