Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-30
A Blood-Sucking Tree.
Like Gigantic Tarantula, and Feeds
On Birds.
Discovery of a Third Specimen of the
CarnivorOus Arbor Diaboli-
Its Terrible Powers.

Mr.. John 81. Besterman, an American
and whilom resident of Chihuahua, Mex
loo, writes as follows to the st. Louis
Globe Democrat about singular discov
cry which he recently made:
have taken much interest in the study
of botany during my sojourn in this
country, the fora of which presents one
Of the richest fields for the scientist in
the world, and have wandered some dis
lance from town on several occasions in
my search for specimens.
On one of these expeditions I noticed
dark object on one of the OUTLYING
spurs of the Sierre Madre mountains.
which object excited my curiosity go
much that I examined it CAREFUL ?
through my field glass. This revealed
that the object was tree or shrub of
such an unusual appearance that l re-
solved to visit the spot.
rode up to the mountain, the sides of
which sloped Efficiently for me to make
my way on horseback to within few rods
of the summit. But here I was stopped
by an abrupt rise so steep that I despair
ed of reaching it even on foot.
/ went around it several times seeking
for some way to climb up, but the Jagged,
beetling rocks afforded not the slightest
foothold. On the top of this knob stands
the tree I 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 slimsy appearance, and
seemed possessed of & horrible life-like
power of ooiling and unooiling. Coca
sionally the whole tree would seem a
writhing, squirming mass.
My desire to investigate this strange
vegetable product increased on cash Of the
many expeditions made to the spot, and
at last saw sight one day which made
me believe I had discovered an unheard-
of thing.
bird, which I had watched circlIng
about for some time, finally settled on
the top of the tree, when the branches
began to awaken, as it were, and to curl
upward.
They twined and twisted like snakes
about the bird, which began to scream,
ard drew it down in their fearful en-
brace until lost sight of it.
Horrer-stricken, l seized the nearest
rock in an attempt to climb the knob. I
had SO often tiled in vain to dc this that
1 vas not surprised when I fell back, but
the rock Was loosened and fell also.
1t narrowly missed me, but I sprang
up unhurt, and saw that the fallen rock
had left considerable cavity. put my
face TO it and looked in. Something like
a cavern, the floor of whiah had an upward
tendency, met my sigh5, and 1 felt a eur
rent OF fresh air blowing on me, with a
dry earthly smell.
Evidently there was another opening
somewhere, undoubtedly at the summit.
Using my trowel, which I always car
ried on my botanizing expeditions, en-
larged the hole, and then pushed my way
up through the passage.
When [ had nearly reached thcstopsI
looked out cautiously to see if should
emerge within reach of that diabolical
tree. But 1 found it nowhere near the
aperture, so sprang out.
l was just in time to see the fattened
carcass of the bird drop to the ground,
which was covered with bones and feath
ers. l approached as closely rs 1 dared
and examined the tree.
1t was low in size, not more than twenty
feet high, but covering a thick area. Its
trunk was of prodigious thickness, knott
ed and soaly.
From the top of this trunk few feet
from the ground, its Shiny branches
curved upward and downward, nearly
touching the ground with their rapering
tips.
It's appearance was that of a gigantic
tarantula awaiting its prey.
On my venturing to lightly touch one
of the limbs, it closed upon nv hand
with such force that when I tore it loose
the skin came with it. I descended then
and CLOSING the passage returned home.
I went back next day, carrying half a
a dozen chickens with which to feed the
tree.
The moment tossed in the fowls vio-
lent agitation shook its branches, which
swayed to and fro wit sinuous, shaky
motion.
After devouring the fowls, these
branches, fully gorged, dropped to their
former position, and, the tree giving no
sign of animation, I dared approach it
and take the limbs in my hand.
They were covered with suckers, re-
sembling the tentacles of an octopus.
The blood of the fowls had been absorbed
by these suckers, leaving crimson stains
on the dark surface.
There was no foliage, of course, of any
kind. Without speaking of my discovery
To any one ABOUT, wrote an account OF
it to the world famous botanist, Professor
Wordenhaunt, of the University of Held
elberg.
His reply Estates that my tree is the
Arbor Diaboli, only two specimens of
which have ever been known one on
peak of the Himalayas and the other
on the Island of Sumatra. Mine Is the
third.
Prof. Wordenhaupt says that the Arbor
Diaboli and the plant known as Venus
fy-trap are the only known specimens,
growing on the land, Of those forms of
life which partake of the nature of
both the animal and vegetable kingdoms,
although there are instances too nuner-
GUS to mention found of this class in the
sea.
The Portuguese man-of-war may be
mentioned, however, as one, and the
sponge as the best known specimen of
this class.