Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-06-16

/ mimic fJlNWI ~ OlttfNtft Auub AAOlA'o
could be GdJudged.
Mexico the Home OF Forest aeu-
ster whtch Preys on Fowls
have taken much interest in the
study of botany during ny soiourn IN
this country, the fora OF which presents
one Of the richest fields for the scientists
in the world, and have wandered some
/ distance from the town on several occa-
sious in my search for specimens. On
ono ~ these expeditions | noticed n
dark object on one of the outlying spurs
of the Sierra Madre mountains, which
object excited my curiosity so much
/ that examined it carefully through my
field-glass. This revealed that the OBJ
iect was tree or shrub Of such an I'M
usual appearance that ! resolved to visit
the spot.
rode to the mountain, the sides OF
which sloped sufficiently for me to
make nv way on horseback to within
few rods OF the summit. But here L
was stopped by an abrupt rise so steep
that | despaired Of reaching it even on
foot. ] went around 1t 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 / had seen.
From the spot on which l now stood l
could see that it somewhat resembled IN
form the weeping willow, hut the long,
dropping whip-lIke limbs were OF dark
and apparently shiny appearance, and
seemed possessed Of a horrible hte-llke
power Of collng and uncoiling. Occa
sionally the whole tree would seem
writing, sluirmlng mass.
My desire TO investigate this strange
vegetable product ln' .eased on each OF
the many expeditions made 10 the spot
and ut last | saw sight one day which
made me believe | had certainly dis
covered an unheard-of thing. bird
which | had watched circling about for
some time inallT settled on the top OF
the tree. when the branches began to
awaken. az IL were, and to curl upward.
They twjned and twisted like snakes
about the bud, which began to scream,
and drew it down in their fearful en-
brace until lost sight Of 1t. Horror
stricken. | seized the nearest rock IN an
attemlt to climb the knob. ! had so
Gifted tried in vain to do this that 1 was
not surprised when | fell back, but the
rock was loosened and fell also. 1t mar
rowly missed me, but l sprang up I'M
hurt and saw that the fallen rock had
left considerable cavity.
put my face TO it and looked in.
Something ike d cavern; the floor OF
which hsd on upward tendency, met my
sight. and felt current OF fresh air
blowing on me, with dry, earthly smell
Evidently there was another opening
somewhere, undoubtedly at the summit.
Using NV trowel, which always carried
on my botaniMng expeditions, L enlarged
the hole. and then pushed my way up
through the passage. When had nearly
reached the top L looked ont cautiously
TO see if should emerge within reach OF
that diabohcal tree. But / found 1t
nowhere near the aperature, 80 | sprang
out. | was Just in time to see the tlattened
carcass Of the bird drop to the ground.
which was covered with bones and
feathers
| approached as closely as l dared and
examined the tree. 1t was low III size.
not more thl twenty feet high, but
covering a great area. Its trunk was OF
prodieious thickness, knotted and scsly.
From the top OF this trunk, few feet
from the kiuund its shiny branches
curved upward snd downward, nearly
touching the ground with their tapering
tips. Its appearance was that OF "A 81
gantio tarantula awaiting Its prey. On
nv venturing 70 lightly touch one of the
limbs it closed upon my hand with such
force that when tore It loose the skin
came with it. 1 descended then, and
closing the passage returned home.
vent back next day carrying half
dozen chickens with which 10 feed the
tree. The moment tossed IT the fowls
a violent agitation shook Its branches,
which swayed to and fro with slnuous,
spakv motion. After devouring the
fowls these branches, fully gorged,
dropped TO their former positions, and
the tree giving no sign of animation /
dared approach 1t and take the limbs IN
nv hand. I hey were covered with suck
ers resembling the tentacles OF sn octo-
pus. The blood OF the fowls had been
absorbed by these suckers, leaving Grim
son STAINS on the dark surface. There
was no foliage, Of course, OF any kind.
Without speaking of my discovery to
any one about | wrote al account OF 1t
10 the world-famous botanist, Professor
Wordenhaupt, Of the University of
Heidelberg. His reply states that my
tree is the Arbor Diaboh, only two specl-
mems of which have ever been known
one on a peak Of the Himalayas and the
other on the Island of Sumstra Mine
is the third. Professor Wordenhaupt
saws that the Arbor Diaboh and the
plant known as Venus fiy-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 numerous to mention fonnd
of this class in the sea. The Portuguese
man-oi-war may be mentioned, however,
as one, and the sponge as the best known
specimen.
From Putnam county. Fla, comes
news Of remarkable occurrence. Some
- 4 nd