The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-01-12
rHE pIARoLIcAr. rnEE.
A Vegetable Monster which Lives Upo
Birds.

Birds.
John ~ Betterman, an American, sends
the following letter from Chihuahua. Mex,
which was Published in the ST. Louis 63obe-
Democrat.
have taken much interest in the study
of botany, during my sojourn in this conn-
try. the fora OF which presents one OF the
richest fields FOR scientists in the world,
and have wandered some distance from
town. on several occasions. in my search
for specimens. On one of these expedi-
tons | noticed dark object on one of the
outlying spurs OF the Sierra Madre mount
aims. which object excited my curiosity so
much that examined ii carefully through
my field glass. This revealed that the OBJ
iect was tree or shrub of such an unusual
appearance that / resolved TO visit the
spot.
rode TO the mountain, the sides of
which slopea sufficiently for me TO make
my way on horseback to within a few rods
Of the summit But there / was stopped
by an abrupt rise SO steep that despaired
of reaching il even on foot. went around
il several times seeking for some way to
climb up but the jagged, beetling rocks
afforded not the slightest foothold
On the topof this knob now stands the
tree had seen. From the spot on which
/ now stood I could see that il 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 Iife-like
power of coili"g and uncoiing. Occasion
ally the whole tree would seem a writing,
squirming mass. Ny desire to investigate
this strange product increased on each of
the many expeditions made 20 the spot,
and at last / saw a sight one day which
made me believe had certainly discovered
an unheard-of thing.
bird, which | had watched circling
about for some time, finally settled on the
top OF the tree, when the branches began to
awaken. as il were, and 10 curl upwards.
They twined and twisted like snakes about
the bird which began 10 scream, and drew
ii down in their fearful embrace until /
lest sight OF it. Horror-stricken seized
the nearest rock in an attempt TO climb
the knob. had so often tried in vain to
do this that was not surprised when fell
back But the rock vas Ioosened and fell
also. Ii narrowly missed me. but spfang
up unhurt, and saw thss the fallen rock had
left considerable cavity. / put my face
to il and looked in.
Something like a cavern. the floor of
which had an upward tendency. met my
sight, aud / felt current OF fresh air
blowing on me. with "A dry, earthly smell
Evidently there was another opening some
where. undoubtedly at the summit sIsing
my trowel. which always carried on my
botanizlng expeditions. I enlarged the hole.
and then pushed my way Up through the
passage. When had nearly reached the
ton ! looked out cautiously TO see If /
should emerge within reach Of that
dlabolical tree. But ] found II nowhere
near the aperture, so l sprang out
was Just in time 10 see the fiattened
carcass OF the bird drop to the ground,
which was covered with bones and feath-
ers approached as closely as / dared
and examined the tree. 1t was low in size
and not more than twenty feet high, but
covering a great area. Its trunk was of
prodigious thickness, knosted and scaly
From the top OF this trunk. a few
feet from the ground, its Shiny
branches curved upssrd and down
ward. nearly touching the ground
with their tapering tips. Its appearance
was that OF a gigantic tarantula awaiting It's
prev On my venturiug 20 lightly touch
one Of the limbs il closed upon ray hand
with such force that when tore Il loose
the skin came with it. / decende1 then,
and closing the passage returned home.
went back next day, carrying half
dozen chickens with which to feed the tree.
The moment tossed the fowls 3 violent
agitation shook is branches. which swayed
70 and fro WITH sinuoas, shaky motion
After deyouring the fowls, these branches.
fully gorged, dropped 10 their former
position. aud the tree, giving no sign OF
animation. dared approach il and
take the limbs in my hand. They we're
covered with suckers, resembling the ten
sacIes Of an octopus The blood Of the
fowls had heen absorbed by these suckers,
leaving crimson stains on The dark surface.
There vas ma tonnage. Of course, OF any
kind.
without speaking al my discovery 10
anvone | xrote an account Of Il TO the
worla.fafuous botauist. Professor Worden-
haunt. az the Z University II Heidelberg
Hls reylv states fhat mv tree Il the
arAar siiaholi. oniv tao specimens
~ which nave ever been known--
eue en- a peak 81 TIE Eimalavas. ana
the other on the island o. Samatra. Nine
= the third. Professor Wor3enhapt szys
mar TIE arbor dtAboll and the plant known
& venus' ay-srap are The only kaoxn
sYes,irnens. rroxlng On land. q those
Fsrrss az l{fe whfeh partAke IL zee nature az
both the aniraas ard vegetable kingdoms.
although there are Instance. 700 numerous
10 mention, found q this class IN the SEA.