Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-08-28
MEIAtVoRous sHRues.


anu OAA AAu Lan.~
Prof Schelwisch. the well-known
naturalist of Bavaria, while travelling
with the Stanley expedition in the
heart of Africa. noticed a plant with =
peculiar steel-colOred foliage. and on
examination it was found that the shrub.
although growing like other plants from
the soil. was practically composed of
iron. Tho leaves. although very thin.
were bent with great difficulty, and tho
twigs and branches resisted pressure
with force about equal TO the same
amount Of iron. and 20 secure a leaf it
was found necessary to separate IL from
the bush with 4 file.
While Prof Schelwisch was digging at
the base OF this plant for the purpose OF
making an examination OF its roots, the
natives crowded around him in great
numbers, gesticulating in a menacing
manner. The Professor desisted from
his work and the interpreter was sent
for. lie explained that this was a holy
tree, and wOrshiPed by the natives in
their fetch religion as god plant, and
that TO dig one up would bring ruin and
desolatiOn upon the whole village and
surrounding country
Prof. Schelwisch offered TO buy tho
plant. and. taking out 4 handful Of cop
per coins. gave them % the savageS
who gladly accepted the money and
distributed it among themselves The
Professor then returned 20 the work Of
digging up the unique plant, but had
not made any great progress when the
natives again set upon him Through
the interpreter the Professor informed
them that he had legally bought the
plant and intended 10 remove it As
soon as this message was made known
20 tho savages every one who had re-
ceived coin came and dropped it in
the hole at tho base Of the shrub Prof
Schelwisch allowed the coins 70 remain
in the hole and walked away toward the
mountain to hunt another specimen
Next day, as the party were preparing
TO continue the march. the Professor
was curious 20 know IL the coins had re-
mained undisturbed during the night
by the superstitious natives. and on ap-
preaching the metal plant was aston
ished 70 find il had changed its color
completely. Instead Of being beauti-
full steel color, the stem, leaves and
what was exposed Of the roots presented
the appearance os newly-coined copper
coins and glitsered in the morning sun
light like polished gold Upon exam
inatiOn II was ascertsined that during
the night the strange plant had alb
sOrbed nearly all the copper coins. with
the result of completely changing its
color.
What was left Of the coins in the hole
showed that they were more than half
eaten away OF absorbed by the roots Of
the metal plant Not only was tho
color changed, but the texture Of the
plant had undergone similar transfOr-
nation II was found that the thin ivy
shaped leaves were now easily bont
around the fingers. would retain any
shape given. and could be readily cut
with any ordinary pair Of scissors
Prof Scheiwisch succeeded in surrept3-
tiously securing several branches Of this
wonderful metal eating plant, and was
also successful in obtaining a good
photograph Of it No further trace OF
the existence of the metal plant was
found until the expedition reached the
Uniamesi country. when at the base Of
the NkomabakOsi Mountains 4 perfect
forest Of this curious plant was found
This being an uninhabited region. no
difficulty was encountered in securing
specimens 20 take back 10 England.
A great fire was built about the tree.
but Il would not burn the least little
bit-Philadelphia Times.