The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-30
THE DEVILS TREE.
A Third Specimen of the Carniv-
erous Arbor Diaboli.

A mira Op0CluSu Ol Iuo SdEulV-
erous Arbor Diaboli.
From the Globe Democrat
1, Mr.. John H. Betterman, American
and yhilom resident of this city, beg to
communicate to the Globe-Democrat a
most singular discovery which I have re-
Gently made.
have taken much interest in the study
of botany during my sojourn in this
country, the floral of which presents one
of the richest fields for the scientists in
the world, and have wandered some dis
lance from town on several occasions in
my search for specimens. On one of these
expeditions l noticed dark object on
one of the outlying spurs of the Sierra
Madre mountains, which object excite d my
curiosity so much that [ examined it care
fully through my field glass. This re-
vealed that the object was tree or shrub
of such an unusual appearance that l re-
solved to visit the spot. | rode to the
mountain, the side of which sloped suffi-
GENTLY for me to make may way on horse
back to within few rods of the summit.
But here was stopped by an abrupt rise
so steep that despaired of reaching it,
even on foot. went around it several
times seeking for some way to climb up,
but the jagged, beet thing rocks afforded
not the slightest foorhold. On the top of
this knob stands the tree 1 had seem
From the spot on which 1 now stood
| could see that it somewhat resembled,
long, dropping whip-like limbs were of
dark and apparently slimy appearance,
and seemed possessed of horrible life
like power of coiling and uncolling. Oc-
casionally the whole tree would seem a
writhing, squirming mass. My desire to
investigate this strange vegetable product
increased on each of the many expeditions
l made to the spot, and at last saw a
sight one day which made me believe
had certainly discovered an unheard of
thing. A bird, which L had watched cir
cling about for some time, finally settled
on the top of the tree, when the branches
began to awaken, as it were, and to
curl upwards. They twined and twisted
like snakes about the bird, which began
to scream, and drew it down in their
fearful embrace until l lost sight of 1T
Horror stricken, | seized the nearest rock
in an attempt to climb the knoll. L Lad
so often tried in vain to do this that l
was not surprised when | fell back, but
the rock was loosened and fell also. 1t
narrowly missed me, but l sprang up
unhurt, and saw that the fallen rock
had left considerable Of cavity. l
put my face to it and looked in. Some
thing like a cavern, the floor of which
had an upward tendency, met my
vaze, and 1 felt a current of fresh air
blowing on me, with dry, earthly
smell. Evidently there was another
opening somewhere, undoubtedly at the
sdmmit. Using my trowel, which al
ways carried on my botsnizing expedi
tions, enlarged the hole and then pushed
my way through the passage. When l
had nearly reached the top looked out
cautiously to see if 1 should emerge within
reach of that diabolical tree, but 1 found
it nowhere near the aperture, so sprang
out. was Just in time to see the flat
tened carcass of the bird drop to the
ground, which was covered with bones
and feathers. l approached as closely
as dared and examined the tree. 1t
was low in size, not more than twenty
feet high, but covering great area. Its
trunk was of prodigious thickness, knot
ted and scaly. From the top of this trunk,
a few feet from the ground, its Shiny
branches curved upward and downward,
nearly touching the ground with their
tapering tips. Its appearance was that
of gigantic tarantula awaiting its prey.
On my venturing to lightly touch one of
the limbs it closed upon my hand with
such force that when 1 tore it loose the
skin came with it. L descended then, and,
closing the passage, returned home.
| I went back next day carrying
half dozen chickens with which to
feed the tree. The moment l tossed it
| the fowls a violent agitation shook its
branches, which swayed to aud fro with a
sinuous, snaky motion. After devoulisg
the fowls these branches, fully gorged,
dropped to their former position, and the
tree giving no sign of animation, dared
| Approach it and take the limbs in my
hand. They were covered with suckers
resembling the tenacles 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. With
ont speaking of my discovery to any
one about, wrote an account of it to
the worldfamous botanist, Professor
! Wordenhaupt, of the University of Heide-
berg. His reply stated that my tres is the
Arbor Diaboli, only two specimens of
which have ever been known--one on the
peak of the Himalayas and the other on
leland of Sumatre. Mine is the third.
Professor Wordenhaupt says that the
Arbor Diaboli and the plant known as
Venus hy-trap are the only known speci-
mems, 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 numer-
Gus to mention found of this class in the
sea. The Portuguese men-of war may be
mentioned, however, as one, and the
sponge as the best Known specimen
Of this class.