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Carnivorous Plants

and

"The Man-Eating Tree"


BY

SOPHIA PRIOR

BOTANY

LEAFLET 23

F I E L D M U S E U M O F N A T U R A L HISTORY

CHICAGO

1939
T h e B o t a n i c a l Leaflets of Field M u s e u m are designed to g i v e
brief, n o n - t e c h n i c a l a c c o u n t s of v a r i o u s features of p l a n t life, especially
w i t h reference to t h e b o t a n i c a l e x h i b i t s in Field M u s e u m , and of t h e
local flora of t h e C h i c a g o region.

LIST OF BOTANICAL L E A F L E T S I S S U E D TO D A T E

No. 1. Figs $ .10


No. 2. T h e Coco P a l m 10
No. 3. Wheat 10
No. 4. Cacao 10
No. 5. A Fossil Flower 10
No. 6. T h e Cannon-ball Tree 10
No. 7. Spring Wild Flowers .25
No. 8. S p r i n g and E a r l y S u m m e r W i l d F l o w e r s . . .25
No. 9. S u m m e r Wild F l o w e r s '• .25
No. 10. A u t u m n F l o w e r s and F r u i t s 25
No. 11. Common Trees (second edition) 25
No. 12. P o i s o n I v y (second e d i t i o n ) 15
No. 13. S u g a r and S u g a r - m a k i n g 25
No. 14. Indian Corn 25
No. 15. S p i c e s and C o n d i m e n t s ( s e c o n d e d i t i o n ) . . . .25
No. 16. F i f t y C o m m o n P l a n t Galls o f t h e C h i c a g o A r e a .25
No. 17. Common Weeds 25
No. 18. Common Mushrooms 50
No. 19. Old-Fashioned Garden F l o w e r s 25
No. 20. House Plants 35
No. 21. Tea 25
No. 22. Coffee 25
No. 23. C a r n i v o r o u s P l a n t s and " T h e M a n - E a t i n g T r e e " .25

CLIFFORD C. GREGG, DIRECTOR

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

CHICAGO, U. S. A.
F I E L D M U S E U M OF NATURAL HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

CHICAGO, 1939

LEAFLET NUMBER 23
COPYRIGHT 1 9 3 9 B Y F I E L D M U S E U M O F N A T U R A L HISTORY

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS
AND "THE MAN-EATING T R E E "
T h e h a b i t of c a p t u r i n g p r e y a n d of digesting animal
tissue for food, is so c o m m o n l y held to be a special a t t r i b u t e
of p r e d a t o r y animals t h a t it seems paradoxical to speak
of c a r n i v o r o u s p l a n t s . T h e r e exist, however, a n u m b e r of
f l o w e r i n g p l a n t s t h a t n o t only c a p t u r e small animals, b y
passive or a c t i v e m e a n s , b u t h a v e t h e power of digesting
and assimilating t h e organic food t h u s o b t a i n e d . As to
relationships, these p l a n t s do n o t c o n s t i t u t e a single g r o u p
b u t belong t o various, i n p a r t u n r e l a t e d , p l a n t families,
a n d t h u s exhibit several k i n d s of s t r u c t u r a l provision for
c a p t u r i n g prey. T h i s p r e y ' generally consists of small
insects, b u t in some instances of o t h e r small a n i m a l s —
m i n u t e freshwater Crustacea, isopods, w o r m s a n d v a r i o u s
a q u a t i c l a r v a e , a n d , it is said, even small v e r t e b r a t e s —
c a p t u r e d either like flies on sticky fly paper, or by a t r a p
m e c h a n i s m , or by drowning.
> One of t h e minor t y p e s , t h e c o m m o n b u t t e r w o r t
(Pinguicula vulgaris), h a s a r o s e t t e of several small
oblong leaves, a b o u t an inch a n d a half long, with a v e r y
short stalk. W h e n fully grown t h e leaves lie closely
pressed to t h e soil, usually with n u m e r o u s flies a n d insects
a d h e r i n g t o t h e u p p e r surface. D a r w i n describes t h e
leaves as h a v i n g t w o k i n d s of glands which secrete a color-
less viscous fluid, so sticky t h a t it m a y be d r a w n o u t in
long t h r e a d s . T h e m a r g i n s of t h e leaves c u r v e inward,
a p p a r e n t l y to hold this s u b s t a n c e which becomes so pro-
1
2 FIELD M U S E U M OP N A T U R A L HISTORY

fuse when t h e g l a n d s are s t i m u l a t e d t h a t it trickles t o w a r d s


t h e curved edges.
T h e small inconspicuous sun-dew (Drosera rotundi-
folia) is to be found w h e r e v e r bogs a n d s w a m p y places
exist, even in A u s t r a l i a a n d at t h e C a p e of Good H o p e .
I t s r o u n d leaves, w i t h long slender stalks, seldom a t t a i n
half an inch in d i a m e t e r . T h e s t a l k s r a d i a t e from a
central point, w i t h t h e leaves lying flat on t h e g r o u n d
like a r o s e t t e . In t h e center of t h i s r o s e t t e rises t h e small
stem with m i n u t e w h i t e f l o w e r s . T h e leaves are covered
with curious g l a n d - b e a r i n g tentacles, or hairs w i t h g l a n d s
at t h e tip s u r r o u n d e d by a secretion resembling m i n u t e
dewdrops t h a t sparkle i n t h e sun. T h i s p h e n o m e n o n has
given rise to t h e p l a n t ' s n a m e , t h e sun-dew. An object
coming in c o n t a c t w i t h t h e t i p causes a m o v e m e n t of t h e
clubbed s t r u c t u r e s t o w a r d s t h e center of t h e leaf, t h e
impulse being t r a n s m i t t e d from t h e t e n t a c l e s touched to
o t h e r s n e a r b y , t h u s b e n d i n g t h e m over a n d enclosing t h e
object. It is an established fact t h a t t h e secretion from
t h e glands of t h e sun-dew is c a p a b l e of dissolving animal
s u b s t a n c e in m u c h t h e s a m e m a n n e r as in t h e process of
digestion in animals.
B l a d d e r w o r t (Utricularia macrorrhiza), a submerged
w a t e r p l a n t , w i t h finely divided foliage, is equipped with
bladders which a r e a d a p t e d for c a p t u r i n g small animals,
such as t h e m i n u t e insect l a r v a e a n d Crustacea which
live in t h e w a t e r . T h e leaves a r e r e p e a t e d l y bifurcate to
t w e n t y o r t h i r t y p o i n t s a n d h a v e t w o o r t h r e e bladders
on each leaf, generally n e a r t h e base. T h e s e s t r u c t u r e s
are t r a n s l u c e n t , of a green color, a n d w h e n fully grown
a r e a b o u t one-sixteenth of an inch in l e n g t h . T h e r e is a
v a l v e on t h e posterior free edge lined w i t h n u m e r o u s
glands, each consisting of an oblong b e a d a n d a pedicel.
T h i s v a l v e opens only i n w a r d s a n d is highly elastic.
Small animals can e n t e r t h e b l a d d e r t h r o u g h this v a l v e
which s h u t s i n s t a n t l y b e h i n d t h e m a n d does n o t yield t o
pressure from within, so t h a t it is impossible for an animal
A. S u n - d e w (Drosera rotundifolia).
B. C o m m o n b u t t e r w o r t (Pinguicula vulgaris).
C. V e n u s ' s fly-trap (Dionaea muscipula).
A b o v e . A Venus's fly-trap w i t h a s m a l l frog c a u g h t in its grip ( X 3 ) .
American W e e k l y , A u g u s t 1, 1937.
B e l o w . V e n u s ' s fly-trap closing a n d closed on a fly. P h o t o s by
Leon Keinigsberg.
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 3

to escape once it is caught in this prison. Under favorable


circumstances many of the bladders may be found to
hold as many as eight minute Crustacea.
A b l a d d e r w o r t h a s been described by Moseley which
entraps young fish and spawn. " M o s t are caught by the
head, a n d when this is t h e case t h e h e a d is usually pushed
as far i n t o t h e b l a d d e r as possible till t h e s n o u t touches
t h e hinder wall. T h e t w o d a r k b l a c k eyes of t h e fish t h e n
show o u t conspicuously t h r o u g h t h e wall of t h e b l a d d e r . "
According t o c u r r e n t n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t s t h e bladder-
w o r t is n o w being used "effectively" to fight mosquitoes.
A m o n g p l a n t s , V e n u s ' s fly t r a p (Dionaea muscipula),
says D a r w i n , "from t h e r a p i d i t y a n d force of its m o v e -
m e n t s is one of t h e m o s t wonderful in t h e w o r l d . " T h e
leaf is bilobed, w i t h a foliaceous stalk. On t h e m a r g i n of
t h e leaf a r e s h a r p t e e t h or spikes, w i t h t w o or t h r e e hairs
on t h e leaf. T h e s e hairs a r e extremely sensitive a n d
function a s triggers; t h e i n s t a n t t h e y a r e t o u c h e d t h e
t w o lobes of t h e leaf close, locking t h e spines t o g e t h e r .
T h e u n h a p p y insect t h a t set off t h i s m e c h a n i s m becomes
its p r e y . T h e leaf r e m a i n s closed a n d is c o n v e r t e d i n t o a
v i r t u a l s t o m a c h a n d t h e g l a n d s on t h e u p p e r surface of
t h e leaf come into action u n t i l all t h e soft p a r t s of t h e p r e y
are liquified. A V e n u s ' s fly t r a p h a s been seen holding
fast in i t s grip a small frog. T h i s p l a n t is a n a t i v e of
N o r t h Carolina.
T h e a b o v e are all r a t h e r small h e r b s t h a t generally
a t t r a c t b u t little a t t e n t i o n even i n places w h e r e t h e y are
abundant. M u c h m o r e conspicuous c a r n i v o r o u s p l a n t s
a r e t h e p i t c h e r p l a n t s of which t h e r e exist t w o distinct
t y p e s , one of t h e n o r t h e r n hemisphere, t h e o t h e r of t h e
oriental tropics. T h e t w o t y p e s belong t o different
families b u t agree in one i m p o r t a n t respect: t h e leaf or
p a r t of t h e leaf of each is c o n v e r t e d i n t o a pitcher, con-
t a i n i n g a fluid in which insects a n d o t h e r small animals
drown a n d a r e digested. T h e n o r t h e r n pitcher p l a n t s ,
Sarraceniaceae, consist essentially of a c l u m p of pitchers,
4 FIELD M U S E U M OF NATURAL HISTORY

six inches to t w o feet or m o r e in height, according to t h e


species. T h e tropical p i t c h e r p l a n t s , Nepenthaceae, a r e
m u c h taller p l a n t s , w i t h a central s t e m a n d foliage like
a corn p l a n t . F r o m a tendril-like prolongation of t h e
m i d r i b of t h e leaf, curious j u g s or p i t c h e r s h a n g suspended,
one from each leaf. A small leaf-like flap like a lid covers
t h e m o u t h o f t h e pitcher. T h e f l o w e r s a r e fragrant,
b r i g h t l y colored, a n d a t t r a c t insects, which f i n d their w a y
into t h e p i t c h e r s a n d m a y b e utilized b y t h e p l a n t .
Because of their peculiar a p p e a r a n c e , b o t h t y p e s of
p i t c h e r p l a n t s a r e often c u l t i v a t e d in greenhouses as curi-
osities, a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y t h e y a r e b e t t e r k n o w n t h a n t h e
other g r o u p s of insectivorous p l a n t s .
T h e m o s t generally k n o w n p i t c h e r p l a n t o f t h e n o r t h -
ern hemisphere is Sarracenia purpurea, a widely distributed
p l a n t in t h e m a r s h e s of N o r t h A m e r i c a from H u d s o n B a y
t o Florida. I t s leaves a r e m e t a m o r p h o s e d i n t o pitcher-
like s t r u c t u r e s which a r e a r r a n g e d in r o s e t t e s w i t h their
bases resting o n t h e d a m p soil. T h e y a r e inflated i n t h e
middle like b l a d d e r s , n a r r o w a t t h e orifice a n d t e r m i n a t e
in a small l a m i n a s t r e a k e d w i t h red.
T h e inner surface of t h e s e p i t c h e r s is lined w i t h cells
a r r a n g e d like scales while t h e l a m i n a e a r e covered w i t h
g l a n d u l a r h a i r s which exude h o n e y a n d cover t h e surface
with a film of sweet juice. T h e a n i m a l enticed by this
h o n e y f i n d s its w a y i n t o t h e pitcher, a n d i s p r e v e n t e d
from escaping by t h e slippery cells lining t h e inside.
Darlingtonia californica, which is found growing at a
height of from 300 to 1,000 m e t e r s a b o v e t h e sea in t h e
California u p l a n d s , differs slightly in form. T h e lamina, t

which is purplish red in color a n d shaped like a fish tail,


h a n g s at t h e e n t r a n c e of t h e p i t c h e r like a sign b o a r d , t h u s
a t t r a c t i n g insects from afar. T h e r e is also a spiral tor-
sion to these leaves which p r o b a b l y m a k e s escape m o r e
difficult for t h e insect. Sarracenia flava shows v e r y little
v a r i a t i o n in form except t h a t i t s p i t c h e r s a r e long a n d
narrow. T h e s e species p r o d u c e flowers singly on a spike
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 5

a n d v a r y in size from an inch to t w o inches. T h e y are


b r i g h t yellow with deep red or green m a r k i n g s , or deep
red w i t h green m a r k i n g s as in Sarracenia purpurea.
D r . H o o k e r h a s described over t h i r t y species of
N e p e n t h e s , n a t i v e s of t h e h o t t e r regions of t h e Asiatic
archipelago, from Borneo to Ceylon, with a few outlying
species in N e w Caledonia, in tropical Australia, a n d in
t h e Seychelles Islands i n t h e I n d i a n Ocean. M o r e t h a n
half of these are to be found in Borneo, a n d of these a
dozen a r e exclusively confined to its soil. T h e pitchers
are generally produced a b u n d a n t l y d u r i n g t h e younger
s t a t e of t h e p l a n t s . T h e y show considerable modifica-
tions of form a n d external s t r u c t u r e a n d v a r y in size
from little m o r e t h a n an inch to a l m o s t a foot in length.
Some species, from t h e m o u n t a i n s of Borneo, h a v e pitchers
which m e a s u r e a foot a n d a half, a n d t h e capacious bowl
is large enough to d r o w n a small animal or bird.
One of t h e r a r e p i t c h e r p l a n t s in this region is t h e
striking Nepenthes Veitchii which grows as an e p i p h y t e
on t h e larger b r a n c h e s of trees. It produces a bag-shaped
pitcher a b o u t ten inches in length, r a t h e r wide a n d
blotched w i t h blood-red p a t c h e s . T h e m o u t h of t h e
pitcher in this species is its m o s t conspicuous a n d r e m a r k -
able p a r t t h a t b y its rich orange color a n d its vertical
position, becomes a perfect t r a p for enticing insects at a
distance. A n o t h e r r e m a r k a b l e species which climbs trees
has n a r r o w pitchers a b o u t t w e n t y inches long a n d a stalk
which is often as long as t w e n t y feet. T h e m o u t h of some
of these pitchers is fringed with rigid p o i n t s directed in-
wards toward the cavity.
M a n y travelers h a v e described these p l a n t s a s t h e y exist
in their n a t i v e h a b i t a t , especially in Borneo. M r . Alfred
Wallace was told t h a t h e would find w a t e r a t P a d a n g -
b a t u b u t h a v i n g looked for it in vain, a n d being extremely
t h i r s t y , h e a t last t u r n e d t o t h e p i t c h e r p l a n t s . T h e
w a t e r contained in t h e p i t c h e r s w a s full of insects, a n d
otherwise u n i n v i t i n g ; b u t on t a s t i n g it, it w a s found to be
6 FIELD M U S E U M OF NATURAL HISTORY

very palatable, though rather warm. T h e mountain tops


in t h i s region, he relates, a r e covered w i t h these p i t c h e r
p l a n t s which trail over t h e g r o u n d or climb over s h r u b s
a n d s t u n t e d trees, t h e s h o w y p i t c h e r s h a n g i n g i n every
direction. Some of t h e finest y e t k n o w n h a v e been
obtained on t h e s u m m i t of K i n a - B a l u , in n o r t h w e s t
Borneo. T h e species Nepenthes Rajah from t h e m o u n -
t a i n s of B o r n e o surpasses all o t h e r k n o w n species in t h e
immense d e v e l o p m e n t of i t s pitchers, some of which are
twelve inches across, a n d hold seven p i n t s of w a t e r in
which small a n i m a l s or b i r d s c a n d r o w n .
A large p l a n t of t h i s k i n d w a s found in tropical I n d i a
a n d exhibited a t H o r t i c u l t u r a l Hall i n L o n d o n . The
odor from i t s blossom a t t r a c t s large insects a n d even mice.
A small b u t beautiful a n d extremely interesting p l a n t ,
Cephalotus follicularis, is found in W e s t A u s t r a l i a n e a r
A l b a n y . It grows in p e a t y soil, a l m o s t in r u n n i n g w a t e r ,
a n d sometimes a t t h e b a s e o f w o o d y s h r u b s . T h e p l a n t s
are v e r y a t t r a c t i v e in a p p e a r a n c e w i t h their gracefully
shaped p i t c h e r s in b r i g h t colors of red to purple, crim-
son a n d v i v i d green. T h e lids a r e m a r k e d w i t h small
spaces of t r a n s l u c e n t w h i t e . T h e s e small p i t c h e r s are
a r r a n g e d in rosettes from t h e c e n t e r of which o r d i n a r y
leaves a p p e a r a n d often a s s u m e a b r i g h t crimson a n d
yellow color. T h e flower spike emerges from t h e center
of t h i s c l u m p of leaves.
T h e liquid in these p i t c h e r s v a r i e s from greenish
black to q u i t e colorless d e p e n d i n g on t h e n u m b e r of vic-
t i m s contained in it. In one of these p i t c h e r s t h e r e h a v e
been recognized wings, legs, a n d chitinous p l a t e s from
t h e t h o r a x a n d a b d o m e n of v a r i o u s insects, balancers
of mosquitos, scales of m o t h s , claws of Crustacea, t h e
living l a r v a e of a fly a n d a unicellular alga which obvi-
ously lives a n d multiplies in t h e liquid.
T h e living algae a n d l a r v a e a r e fine examples of organ-
isms t a k i n g a d v a n t a g e of conditions created by others for
their own benefit. A m o n g insectivorous p l a n t s t h e r e
A. B l a d d e r w o r t (Utricularia macrorrhiza), n a t u r a l size.
B. Section through a bladder with trapped small animals ( X 3 0 ) .
C . Leaf s h o w i n g position o f bladders ( X 5 ) .
A. T h e c o m m o n p i t c h e r - p l a n t (Sarracenia purpurea).
B. A p i t c h e r of t h e t r u m p e t p l a n t (Sarracenia flava), a large
leaved pitcher-plant, of southeastern United States.
C. (Darlingtonia californica), a n a t i v e of California u p l a n d s .
All a b o u t o n e q u a r t e r n a t u r a l s i z e .
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 7

a r e m a n y striking examples. In Borneo, t h e r e is a spider


t h a t lives on t h e u p p e r slippery p a r t of a N e p e n t h e s
pitcher w h e r e it weaves a t h i n w e b for a foothold a n d lies
in w a i t for insects. A parallel case exists of an insect in
N e w S o u t h Wales which lives on Drosera binata a n d
shares t h e insects c a p t u r e d in t h e sticky tentacles of
t h e p l a n t . Geddes m e n t i o n s a n A m e r i c a n f l e s h f l y which
lays its eggs on t h e rim of Sarracenia pitchers. W h e n
h a t c h e d t h e l a r v a e crawl down into t h e decomposing
mass, live t h e r e for some t i m e a n d finally m a k e their w a y
u n d e r g r o u n d to pass t h e chrysalis stage. A bird associated
w i t h t h i s p l a n t slits t h e p i t c h e r s in search of these par-
ticular l a r v a e .
T h e r e are v a r i o u s opinions concerning t h e process of
digestion b y these c a r n i v o r o u s p l a n t s . One i s t h a t t h e
liquid contained in these v a r i o u s p i t c h e r s a n d b l a d d e r s is
a c u l t u r e fluid for b a c t e r i a which a t t a c k a n d decompose
t h e captives, a n d t h a t t h e p l a n t a b s o r b s t h e decom-
posed p r o d u c t s w i t h o u t h a v i n g b r o u g h t a b o u t digestion.
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d w e h a v e t h e view held b y others
whose experiments, m a d e u n d e r conditions excluding t h e
action of bacteria, indicate t h a t t r u e digestion t a k e s place
b y digestive ferments which m u s t h a v e been secreted
by the plant.
P l a n t s c a p t u r i n g a n d c o n s u m i n g a n i m a l s for food p r o -
v i d e a striking i n s t a n c e of reversal of t h e prevailing order
of things. T h e p h e n o m e n o n , t h o u g h n o t v e r y conspicuous,
is of such an e x t r a o r d i n a r y n a t u r e t h a t it h a s s t i m u l a t e d
t h e i n v e n t i v e imagination of m a n y a u t h o r s of n a t u r a l
history fantasies.
As a result readers of S u n d a y M a g a z i n e s u p p l e m e n t s
h a v e been s t a r t l e d from t i m e to t i m e by stories of vege-
t a b l e m o n s t e r s as formidable a n d incredible as d r a g o n s a n d
werewolf or other a t a v i s t i c n i g h t m a r e s of medieval zoology.
Some of these tales, such as t h a t of T h e D e a t h Flower
of El B a n o o r , a r e plainly i n t e n d e d to be fiction. O t h e r s
challenge our incredulity by m a k i n g serious claims of
8 FIELD M U S E U M OF N A T U R A L HISTORY

being t r u e a c c o u n t s of a c t u a l observations. T h e i r a u t h o r s
are a p t to grow irascible w h e n a p p r o a c h e d for further
information a n d it is to be n o t e d t h a t t h e scene is
always laid in some indefinite place in a far-off c o u n t r y ,
difficult of access a n d u n i n v i t i n g to visitors.
Fifty y e a r s ago " t h e m a n - e a t i n g t r e e " w a s generally
ascribed to C e n t r a l America. N o w , since t h a t p a r t of
the world h a s become easily accessible a n d too well-
k n o w n to serve as a hiding place, its h a b i t a t h a s shifted
to more remote Madagascar or Mozambique.
Some of t h e v a r i o u s a c c o u n t s t h a t follow a r e q u o t e d
j u s t as t h e y a p p e a r e d in p r i n t .

THE DEATH FLOWER


" W e m a y dismiss as m y t h i c a l t h e travelled tale of a
Venus fly-trap which w a s magnified i n t o q u i t e a n o t h e r
m a t t e r before C a p t a i n A r k r i g h t was t h r o u g h w i t h it, for
such tales grow larger t h e farther t h e y go from their
beginning. I t was i n 1581 t h a t t h e v a l i a n t explorer
learned of an atoll in t h e S o u t h Pacific t h a t one m i g h t
n o t visit, save on peril of his life, for t h i s coral ring inclosed
a g r o u p of islets on one of which t h e D e a t h Flower grew;
hence it w a s n a m e d El B a n o o r , or Island of D e a t h . T h i s
flower was so large t h a t a m a n m i g h t e n t e r i t — a c a v e of
color a n d p e r f u m e — b u t if he did so it w a s t h e l a s t of him,
for, lulled by its s t r a n g e fragrance, he reclined on its lower
petals a n d fell i n t o t h e sleep from which t h e r e is no waking.
T h e n as if to g u a r d his slumber, t h e flower slowly folded
its petals a b o u t h i m . T h e fragrance increased a n d b u r n -
ing acid w a s distilled from its calyx, b u t of all h u r t t h e
victim was unconscious, a n d so passing i n t o d e a t h t h r o u g h
splendid d r e a m s , he g a v e his b o d y to t h e p l a n t for f o o d . " 1

A FLESH-EATING VINE
M r . D u n s t a n , a n a t u r a l i s t , relates t h a t while, botaniz-
ing in t h e s w a m p s of N i c a r a g u a h u n t i n g for specimens,
1
Skinner, Charles M . , M y t h s a n d L e g e n d s of F l o w e r s , T r e e s ,
F r u i t s , and P l a n t s .
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 9

he heard from a distance his dog crying out, as if in


agony. R u n n i n g t o t h e s p o t whence t h e cries c a m e , h e
found t h e animal c a u g h t in a perfect n e t w o r k of w h a t
seemed to be fine, rope-like roots a n d fibres. T h e p l a n t
seemed composed entirely of b a r e interlacing stems,
resembling t h e b r a n c h e s of a weeping willow d e n u d e d of
foliage, b u t of a d a r k , nearly black, color, a n d covered
with a thick, viscid g u m t h a t exuded from its surface.
M r . D u n s t a n a t t e m p t e d t o c u t t h e poor b e a s t free with
his knife, b u t i t w a s w i t h g r e a t difficulty t h a t h e m a n a g e d
to sever t h e fleshy fibres of t h e p l a n t . W h e n t h e dog was
finally extricated, M r . D u n s t a n saw to his horror n o t only
t h a t its b o d y was blood-stained, b u t t h e skin a p p e a r e d t o
be a c t u a l l y sucked or p u c k e r e d in spots, a n d t h e animal
staggered as if from exhaustion. In a t t e m p t i n g to c u t
t h e v i n e t h e twigs curled like living, sinuous fingers a b o u t
M r . D u n s t a n ' s h a n d , a n d i t required g r e a t force t o free
it from their grasp, which left t h e flesh red a n d blistered.
T h e tree, it is reported, is well k n o w n to t h e n a t i v e s , who
tell m a n y stories of its d e a t h - d e a l i n g powers. I t s a p p e t i t e
is voracious a n d i n s a t i a b l e ; a n d in a few m i n u t e s it will
suck t h e n o u r i s h m e n t from a large l u m p of m e a t , reject-
ing t h e carcass as a spider does t h a t of a used fly.

THE SNAKE-TREE
T h e " S n a k e - t r e e " is described in a n e w s p a p e r p a r a -
g r a p h as found on an o u t l y i n g s p u r of t h e Sierra M a d r e ,
in Mexico. It h a s sensitive b r a n c h e s of a slimy, s n a k y
a p p e a r a n c e , a n d when a bird alights on t h e m incautiously,
it is seized, d r a w n down in t h e tree a n d lost to sight.
Soon after it falls, flattened out, to t h e ground, where
bones a n d feathers, no d o u b t of former c a p t u r e s cover
t h e e a r t h . A n a d v e n t u r o u s traveler h a v i n g t o u c h e d one
of t h e b r a n c h e s of t h e t r e e tells h o w it closed up on his
h a n d w i t h such force t h a t it t o r e t h e skin when he wrenched
i t a w a y . H e t h e n fed t h e tree with chickens, a n d t h e tree
absorbed their blood by m e a n s of suckers with which its
b r a n c h e s were covered, v e r y m u c h like those of t h e o c t o p u s .
10 FIELD M U S E U M OF N A T U R A L HISTORY

"MONKEY-TRAP TREE"
A recent r e p o r t is credited to a Brazilian explorer n a m e d
M a r i a n o da Silva w h o r e t u r n e d from an expedition which
led h i m i n t o a district of Brazil t h a t b o r d e r s on G u i a n a .
He had there sought out the settlement of Y a t a p u Indians.
D u r i n g his j o u r n e y he saw a t r e e which nourishes itself
on animals. T h e t r u n k of t h e t r e e h a s a d i a m e t e r of a b o u t
90 c e n t i m e t r e s a n d is a b o u t six to seven m e t e r s high.
A r o u n d t h e lower p a r t a r e found leaves which a r e 0.9 by
20 c e n t i m e t r e s large a n d t h e t h i c k n e s s of t h e t h u m b .
T h e t r e e itself exudes a peculiar s h a r p odor which a t t r a c t s
animals, especially m o n k e y s . As soon as t h e y climb t h e
t r u n k , all is up w i t h t h e m , for v e r y quickly t h e y a r e com-
pletely closed in by t h e leaves, a n d o n e n e i t h e r hears nor
sees t h e m again. After a b o u t t h r e e d a y s t h e leaves open
a n d let d r o p t o t h e e a r t h t h e bones, completely stripped.

"THE MAN-EATING TREE"


" T h e m a n - e a t i n g t r e e " w a s r e p e a t e d l y described i n
newspapers a n d m a g a z i n e s from 1878 to 1882, b u t it is
alleged to h a v e b e e n discovered long before. T r a v e l e r s a n d
missionaries h a v e s p e n t considerable t i m e investigating
for their personal satisfaction t h e q u e s t i o n of i t s existence
a n d h a v e a l w a y s come t o t h e conclusion t h a t t h e t a l e i s
w i t h o u t foundation.
D r . Carle Liche w h o claimed t o h a v e seen t h e t r e e i n
M a d a g a s c a r in 1878 first w r i t e s of it in a l e t t e r to D r .
Omelius Fredlowski, following which it a p p e a r e d in n u m e r -
ous magazines, p a p e r s , a n d even scientific j o u r n a l s in various
p a r t s of t h e world, however, w i t h o u t sufficient verification
to w a r r a n t a scientific investigation. A p a r t of t h e a c c o u n t
which a p p e a r e d in t h e Carlsruhe Scientific Journal was
q u o t e d in a n e w s p a p e r s t o r y as follows:
" I h a d g o n e , " h e writes, " t o M a d a g a s c a r , t h e land o f
t h e lemurs, t h e lace p l a n t , t h e gye-gye, a n d also of t h e
m a n - e a t i n g tree, t o visit Queen R a v a l a n a I I , a n d was
persuaded t o visit t h e M k o d o s , b y a n a t i v e w h o h a d heard
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND " T H E MAN-EATING TREE" 11

t h a t besides generous daily p a y , I w a s a c c u s t o m e d to


reward liberally a n y o n e w h o showed m e s o m e t h i n g s t r a n g e
or o u t of t h e w a y .
" I n his c o m p a n y I j o u r n e y e d t o t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n p a r t
of t h e island, a m o n g t h e hills covered w i t h t h i c k virgin
forest, w h e r e t h e r e is a district practically u n k n o w n ,
whose w h i t e visitors can be n u m b e r e d on t h e fingers of
one h a n d . T h i s i s t h e region i n h a b i t e d b y t h e M k o d o s .
" I t was while a m o n g these n a t i v e s t h a t I was witness
to w h a t w a s p r o b a b l y t h e m o s t horrible sight I h a v e ever
seen. T h e i r religion consists in t h e worship of their
sacred tree, one of t h e m o s t wonderful freaks of n a t u r e .
To t h i s t r e e t h e y offer h u m a n sacrifice. Once u p o n a
time, as each w a s c o n s u m m a t e d , it h a d been their cus-
t o m t o b u r n each tree. T h i s , however, t h e y h a d been
forced to give up on discovering t h a t t h e trees were
g e t t i n g to be v e r y scarce. W h e n I arrived t h e y were
practically extinct, a n d i t w a s w i t h difficulty t h a t m y
guide, whose wild stories h a d a t t r a c t e d m e t o t h e place,
could find one to show m e .
" T h e sacred t r e e is m o s t r e m a r k a b l e in a p p e a r a n c e .
Its t r u n k , which r a r e l y rises t e n feet a b o v e t h e g r o u n d , is
of a s t r a n g e , barrel-like shape, covered w i t h a q u a i n t
mosaic sort of b a r k , looking like n o t h i n g so m u c h as a
gigantic pineapple. At t h e t o p of t h i s t r u n k it is between
eight a n d nine feet in circumference, a n d u p o n it is fixed
a r e m a r k a b l e g r o w t h v e r y m u c h resembling a h u g e p l a t e .
F r o m t h e t o p o f t h e t r u n k t h e r e h u n g eight leaves. T h e y
are of e x t r a o r d i n a r y size, ten to twelve feet long, a foot
wide where t h e y were hinged t o t h e tree, widening t o a b o u t
t w o feet, a n d finally t a p e r i n g down to a p o i n t as s h a r p as
a needle. T h e y were plentifully strewn w i t h h u g e v e n o m -
ous looking t h o r n s .
" T h e s e leaves could n o t h a v e been less t h a n fifteen
inches thick in t h e centre, a n d h u n g down inertly along
t h e t r u n k , their p o i n t trailing i n t h e e a r t h . A b o v e these
t h e r e stretched, rigidly a n d horizontally, a n u m b e r of
12 FIELD M U S E U M OF NATURAL HISTORY

b r a n c h e s several feet in l e n g t h . Finally, from u n d e r -


n e a t h t h e plate-like a r r a n g e m e n t , t h e r e grew, pointing
u p w a r d , half a dozen frail looking s t a m e n s - -palpi would
be a b e t t e r n a m e , I b e l i e v e — t h a t shivered c o n s t a n t l y ,
as if a g i t a t e d by some s t r o n g wind.
" I t seems t h e plate-like affair on t o p of t h e t r u n k con-
t a i n e d some t h i c k sweet juice. T h i s liquid, which is a
p r o d u c t of t h e t r e e a n d w a s p r o b a b l y originally i n t e n d e d
to a t t r a c t birds, is highly intoxicating, a n d even a v e r y
small q u a n t i t y v e r y soon produces coma. W h e n sacrifices
t a k e place a w o m a n is forced to climb i n t o t h e t r e e a n d
drink. If t h e devil inside is in good h u m o r , t h e girl will
be allowed to get down again in safety. If he w a s feeling
ugly, however, t h e n t h e poor girl was o u t of luck. E x a c t l y
how t h e tree was going to p r e v e n t her j u m p i n g down I
could n o t m a k e out, b u t I w a s to learn e v e n t u a l l y .
" I desired t o d r a w closer a n d examine t h e t r e e care-
fully, b u t m y guide begged m e n o t t o , w a r n i n g m e t h a t
t h e t r e e would certainly b e angered a t m y sacrilege a n d
would t a k e m y life i n revenge, explaining t h a t t h e leaves
would rise up a n d crush m e . Of course, I did n o t p a y
m u c h a t t e n t i o n t o this, b u t , nevertheless, left t h e tree
alone, for i t h a s a l w a y s been m y h a b i t t o respect n a t i v e
superstitions a n d c u s t o m s .
" O n e evening m y guide p r e s e n t e d himself t o m e a n d
told m e t h a t w h a t h e h a d been w a i t i n g for would t a k e
place t h a t n i g h t .
" T h a t night, h a v i n g m a d e t h e chief a p r e s e n t to insure
t h a t I would be welcome to witness their ceremony, I
followed t h e t r i b e i n t o t h e forest. T h e y m a d e their w a y
to t h e sacred tree, a n d r o u n d it b u i l t twelve fires, so t h a t
t h e whole s u r r o u n d i n g s were lit u p b r i g h t l y . T h e n t h e y
disposed themselves a b o u t t h e m a n d m a d e t h e m s e l v e s a t
h o m e , some eating, b u t m o s t of t h e m drinking h u g e
gourdfuls of n a t i v e ferment. V e r y soon t h e y were all of
t h e m m o r e o r less intoxicated, b o t h t h e m e n a n d t h e
women, w i t h t h e exception of a y o u n g girl n e a r b y who
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 13

neither spoke nor moved, b u t glanced a b o u t her as if she


were terrified o u t of her wits.
" S u d d e n l y w i t h o u t w a r n i n g t h e yelling ceased a n d
t h e y scattered a w a y like frightened deer. T h e crucial
p o i n t h a d arrived. F o r a m o m e n t t h e r e w a s complete
silence b u t for t h e crackling of t h e fires. I n t u i t i o n told
me t h a t t h e girl I h a d n o t e d before w a s t h e one t h a t was
to be t h e sacrifice. I looked at her a n d saw m o r t a l terror
i m p r i n t e d on her features. Y e t for t h e life of me I could
n o t imagine w h y , a n d p u t down her fear t o indignation.
" B y n o w t h e first g r o u p of dancers h a d s o m e w h a t
recovered, a n d , s u d d e n l y springing u p , rushed u p o n t h e
poor girl with u n e a r t h l y shrieks a n d yells. T h e y sur-
r o u n d e d her, a n d w i t h s h o u t s a n d gestures ordered her to
climb t h e tree. Terrified she s h r a n k back, a p p a r e n t l y
begging for m e r c y . At t h a t , t h e whole crowd joined in,
furiously howling a t her t o obey. Once m o r e t h e dancers
g a v e o u t their o r d e r s ; t h e n as she still refused a n d s t r u g -
gled, t h e y a r m e d themselves w i t h spears, a n d s t a b b i n g a t
her forced her to r e t r e a t in t h e direction of t h e devil-god.
F o r a while she resisted, seeking to hold their spears with
her h a n d s , a n d only g e t t i n g w o u n d e d as a reward for her
p l u c k y defence.
" A t last, seeing it w a s useless to fight further, she
t u r n e d a n d faced t h e tree. F o r a m o m e n t she stood still,
g a t h e r i n g herself up for a s u p r e m e effort, t h e n quickly she
s p r a n g t o w a r d t h e tree. Like a m o n k e y she scrambled u p ,
a n d reaching t h e t o p k n e l t a n d d r a n k of t h e holy liquid.
Quickly she j u m p e d up again a n d I expected to see her
j u m p down, t h i n k i n g all w a s over, in t h a t dim light n o t
noticing i n s t a n t l y w h a t caused her so to shrink w i t h
terror.
" S u d d e n l y I realized w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g , a n d I
seemed to be paralyzed w i t h horror. T h e tree, seemingly
so dead a n d motionless a m o m e n t before, h a d come to
life. T h e palpi, so frail looking, h a d s u d d e n l y ceased to
quiver, a n d h a d coiled themselves a b o u t t h e girl's head
14 FIELD M U S E U M OF NATURAL HISTORY

a n d shoulders, holding her so firmly t h a t all her efforts


to free herself r e m a i n e d absolutely useless.
" T h e green b r a n c h e s so rigid before b e g a n to writhe,
a n d coiled themselves r o u n d a n d r o u n d like snakes. T h e n
as t h a t m a s s struggled t h e r e arose a horrible sight I shall
never forget—the g r e a t leaves b e g a n to rise slowly, v e r y
slowly. T h o s e evil looking t h o r n s were n o w closing on
her w i t h t h e force of a h y d r a u l i c press.
" A s t h e y c a m e t o g e t h e r t i g h t l y t h e r e trickled down t h e
t r u n k a pinkish m i x t u r e , which t h e m a d d e n e d n a t i v e s
fought a n d t r o d each o t h e r d o w n to g e t one mouthful of
t h e intoxicating fluid from t h e t r e e a n d t h e blood of t h e
h u m a n sacrifice.
" T h e n t h e feasting b e g a n again a m i d m u c h rejoicing.
T h e devil w a s a p p e a s e d . " 1

F i v e y e a r s later in t h e s a m e p a p e r t h e r e a p p e a r e d a
similar s t o r y . T h i s t i m e it w a s a Mississippian, W. C.
B r y a n t , a p l a n t e r , w h o w a s d e t e r m i n e d to use a piece of
land t h a t w a s " t a b o o e d " to everyone, on t h e island of
M i n d a n a o in t h e Philippines. T a k i n g no heed of w a r n -
ings, he s t a r t e d o u t w i t h four w h i t e m e n a n d a g r o u p of
n a t i v e s w h o h a d been deceived a s t o their d e s t i n a t i o n .
M o s t of t h e n a t i v e s finally h a d to be left b e h i n d at c a m p ,
as t h e y refused to go i n t o t h e forbidden territory, except
a n old m a n n a m e d Leon a n d some carriers.
" M o u n t a i n s b e g a n t o rise, a n d w i t h t h e m m o u n t e d t h e
old guide's w a r n i n g s a b o u t 'diabolos,' 'demonios,' ' k o t r a s , '
a n d o t h e r inventions of a superstitious m i n d lurking j u s t
ahead. T h e following d a y h e b e g a n hugging B r y a n t ' s
knees a n d weeping on t h e m , a n d r e p e a t e d t h i s gesture so
often t h a t i t i m p e d e d progress until K i n g picked u p t h e
old fellow like a child a n d carried h i m half a mile. T h e n
t h e m e e t i n g c a m e to a h e a d a n d t h e w h i t e m e n won
because, scared as t h e n a t i v e s were to go on w h e r e t h e
'diabolos' were thicker, t h e y were even less willing to go
1
W i l l i a m , B . H . , A m e r i c a n W e e k l y , S e p t . 26, 1920.
A. (Nepenthes distillatoria), s k e t c h of an entire p l a n t g r e a t l y
reduced.
B . F o l i a g e o f N e p e n t h e s s h o w i n g tendril w i t h t h e p i t c h e r a t t h e
tip, about one quarter natural size.
C . P o r t i o n o f f l o w e r s p i k e , a b o u t o n e third natural size.
An A u s t r a l i a n p i t c h e r - p l a n t (Cephalotus follicularis), one half
natural size (after V o n M a r i l a u n ) .
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 15

b a c k alone w i t h o u t t h e protection of t h e w h i t e m e n a n d
their g u n s .
" L i k e m e n c o u n t i n g themselves a l r e a d y dead, t h e
M o r o s plodded along into t h e foot-hills of t h e m o u n t a i n s .
N o o n of t h e n e x t d a y found t h e p a r t y p r e p a r i n g i t s meal
in t h e m i d s t of a small p l a t e a u covered with tall, wiry
grass, high as a m a n ' s head.
" W h i l e t h e meal w a s cooking, B r y a n t decided t o push
forward a s h o r t distance to a knoll from which he m i g h t
hope to see w h a t w a s ahead, for t h e guide in t h i s s t r a n g e
c o u n t r y w a s of little use s a v e to c u t a p a t h with his n a k e d
bolo t h r o u g h t h e grass a n d ferns. -
" L e o n w e n t on with h i m , his b l a d e r h y t h m i c a l l y m o v -
ing r i g h t a n d left t w o paces in a d v a n c e . It w a s a windless
d a y , w i t h o u t even a b r e a k to ripple t h e surface of t h e sea
of grass in which t h e r e w a s a n o t a b l e absence of animal
t r a c k s . N o t even birds were i n evidence. T h e old m a n
paused, listened a n d cocked a w a t e r y eye, full of fear a n d
rebellion a t t h e w h i t e m a n . B r y a n t listened a n d realized
t h a t h e h a d n e v e r been i n such complete silence. T h e r e
was n o t even a rustle in t h e grass nor t h e whir of an insect.
" I t w a s u n c o m f o r t a b l e a n d h e m o t i o n e d for Leon t o
proceed, b u t t h e old m a n b u r s t i n t o a pitiful plea to go
b a c k a n d fell a t B r y a n t ' s knees, b u t t h e w h i t e m a n g a v e
him a shove a n d again t h e swish-swish w e n t on until a
lone t r e e rose in their p a t h .
" T h e t r e e w a s p e r h a p s thirty-five or forty feet high,
a c o m p a c t sort of a tree with h e a v y dull-green leaves lying
close t o g e t h e r w i t h a shingly look a n d concealing t h e
b o u g h s a n d u p p e r t r u n k . A p p r o a c h i n g near, t h e American
was impressed w i t h several t h i n g s at once.
" T h e foliage stopped all a r o u n d at a beautifully even
distance from t h e g r o u n d as if carefully t r i m m e d by
h u m a n h a n d s , a n d t h e thick t r u n k stood in t h e center of a
perfect circle of b a r r e n g r o u n d a b o u t t h i r t y feet in diameter.
"All a b o u t t h i s park-like opening t h e congonale grass
stood like a wall, b u t in t h e clearing itself n o t a wisp of
16 FIELD M U S E U M OP N A T U R A L HISTORY

a n y sort of v e g e t a t i o n w a s visible, n o t h i n g b u t w h a t
a p p e a r e d to be a sort of volcanic ash. T h e air was h e a v y
with a n odor t h a t s t r u c k a n u n p l e a s a n t chord i n B r y a n t ' s
m e m o r y , a n d y e t t o this d a y h e c a n n o t place it. I t was
an a n i m a l smell, s o m e t h i n g b e t w e e n t h a t of carrion a n d
t h e circus, a n d y e t neither.
" A t t h e base of t h e t r u n k , shiny w i t h some sort of
sticky exudation, w a s a pile of w h i t e bones t o o d r y to
taint the atmosphere. I n s t e a d of s a v i n g himself t h i r t y
feet of unnecessary mowing, Leon s t a r t e d to c a r v e him-
self a p a t h a r o u n d t h e edge. B r y a n t looked u p o n t h i s as
one m o r e example of t h e stupidity, a n d p e r v e r s i t y which
all w h i t e m e n h a v e r e m a r k e d in t h e negro. L a z y as a
dog, nevertheless w h e n t h e Philippine aborigine does do
a n y t h i n g he choses for himself t h e h a r d e s t a n d m o s t
inefficient w a y .
" T h e A m e r i c a n did n o t m i n d . H e w a s glad o f t h e
extra t i m e t o examine t h a t tree. H i s guess w a s t h a t t h e
big b l a c k leaves, like a shingle roof, h a d m a d e t h e ground
b a r r e n a n d d e a d w i t h i n t h e circle. Still some rain should
h a v e blown in. W h y w a s t h e b o u n d a r y s o sharp?
" A m o n g t h e bones B r y a n t saw w h a t m i g h t b e a h u m a n
skull a n d s t a r t e d across t h e open to pick it u p . As he
m o v e d he n o t e d half-consciously t h a t a breeze m u s t be
springing u p , for t h e leaves j u s t a b o v e his h e a d were
beginning to u n d u l a t e . A faint hissing m a d e h i m look
again to see if it could be a snake.
" T h e t h o u g h t was k n o c k e d o u t of his m i n d by t h e
s u d d e n i m p a c t of t h e guide's b o d y on his b a c k . The
M o r o l a n d e d with a yell, pinioned b o t h his m a s t e r ' s a r m s
a n d tried to pull h i m over b a c k w a r d , all t h e t i m e shrieking
like a fiend. B r y a n t , certain t h a t t h e m a n w a s insane,
wondered gratefully w h y t h e old fool h a d n o t s t r u c k w i t h
his bolo. T h e A m e r i c a n w a s helpless u n t i l he could free
his a r m s , which should h a v e been easy w i t h this r a t h e r
frail old m a n , b u t was n o t , because t h e g u i d e fought with
t h e s t r e n g t h of a m a n i a c .
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 17

" B r y a n t set himself t o b r e a k t h a t grip a n d f i n a l l y


loosened it enough to get one h a n d on his pistol a n d to
look i n t o his assailant's face. L e o n ' s complexion w a s t h e
d i r t y grey of u t t e r terror a n d his bulging eyes were n o t
looking a t B r y a n t a t all. B r y a n t w a s impelled t o twist
his h e a d in t h e direction of t h a t gaze a n d b e c a m e p a r a l y z e d
a t w h a t h e saw. T h e tree w a s reaching for him.
" T h e whole t h i n g h a d changed s h a p e a n d w a s horribly
alive a n d alert. T h e dull, h e a v y leaves h a d s p r u n g from
their c o m p a c t formation a n d were coming at him from all
directions, a d v a n c i n g on t h e ends of long vine-like s t e m s
which s t r e t c h e d across like t h e necks of i n n u m e r a b l e
geese a n d , n o w t h a t t h e old m a n h a d s t o p p e d his scream-
ing, t h e air w a s full of hissing sounds.
" T h e leaves did n o t m o v e s t r a i g h t a t their t a r g e t , b u t
w i t h a graceful, side-to-side sway, like a cobra a b o u t to
strike. F r o m t h e far side, t h e d i s t a n t leaves were peeping
a n d swaying o n their j o u r n e y a r o u n d t h e t r u n k a n d even
t h e tree t o p w a s b e n d i n g down t o join i n t h e a t t a c k . T h e
b e n d i n g of t h e t r u n k was spasmodic a n d a c c o m p a n i e d by
s h a r p cracks.
" T h e effect of this a d v a n c i n g a n d swaying m a s s of
green o b j e c t s w a s h y p n o t i c , like t h e c h a r m m o v e m e n t s of
a snake. B r y a n t could n o t m o v e , t h o u g h t h e n e a r e s t leaf
was within an inch of his face. He could see t h a t it was
a r m e d w i t h s h a r p spines on which a liquid w a s forming.
He saw t h e h e a v y leaf c u r v e like a g r e e n - m i t t e n e d h a n d ,
a n d as it b r u s h e d his eyebrows in passing he got t h e smell
of i t — t h e s a m e a n i m a l smell t h a t h u n g in t h e s u r r o u n d i n g
air. A n o t h e r i n s t a n t a n d t h e t h i n g would h a v e h a d his
eyes in its sticky, prickly g r a s p , b u t either his weakness or
t h e b r o w n m a n ' s s t r e n g t h t h r e w t h e m b o t h o n their b a c k s .
" T h e c h a r m w a s b r o k e n . T h e y crawled o u t o f t h e
circle of d e a t h a n d lay p a n t i n g in t h e grass while t h e malig-
n a n t p l a n t , cracking a n d hissing, y e a r n e d a n d stretched
and thrashed to get at them.
18 FIELD M U S E U M OF N A T U R A L HISTORY

" T h e p a r o x y s m worked u p t o a climax a n d t h e n g r a d -


ually began to subside, a n d B r y a n t , h a v i n g overcome a
faintness a n d nausea, walked w i t h Leon t o t h e opposite
side. I m m e d i a t e l y t h e c o m m o t i o n w a s set u p a n e w a n d
t h e h u g e organism b e n t i t s energies in grasping t h e m from
t h e new direction. After a m o r e careful survey, B r y a n t
e s t i m a t e d t h e leaves a t a b o u t t h r e e inches across, roughly
three t i m e s t h a t in l e n g t h a n d t h i c k like a c a c t u s . E a c h
was in a vine-like tendril t h e t h i c k n e s s of a m a n ' s t h u m b
a n d a p p e a r e d to h a v e t h e p r o p e r t y of extension in length
as well as uncoiling like a spring.
" T h e b o n e s o n second t h o u g h t , h e considered h a r d l y
large enough for a m a n , p e r h a p s n o t even for a full-sized
a p e . T h e r e were m a n y feathers a n d h e w a s n o t certain
t h a t he did n o t see hair a n d fur.
" T h e d i s t a n t r e p o r t of K i n g ' s rifle r e m i n d i n g t h e m of
dinner, b r o u g h t to an end t h e s t u d y of t h e d e a d l y tree.
H i s l a s t b a c k w a r d look showed it w i t h leaves slightly
ruffled like t h e feathers of an a n g r y p a r r o t .
" B r y a n t wished t o k n o w w h y t h e n a t i v e s , knowing
all this, did n o t m a k e a business of e x t e r m i n a t i n g these
m u r d e r o u s g r o w t h s . T h e Philippine replied t h a t a n a k e d
m a n w i t h a bolo 'no can d o . ' T h i s w a s p r o b a b l y n o t t h e
t r u t h . A b a n d of M o r o s could easily d e s t r o y a n y t r e e if
t h e y really tried. T h e y let t h e m live from superstitious
fear.
" W h e n B r y a n t reported this to Captain Johnston, he
replied t h a t h e h a d h e a r d o f t h e t r e e a n d u n d e r s t o o d t h a t
it stupefied as well as held its v i c t i m s by force b u t hereto-
fore h a d a l w a y s been inclined t o d o u b t t h e y a r n s . " 1

" T h e a u t h o r of t h i s tale, h a v i n g been questioned,


replies u n d e r d a t e of J a n u a r y 8, 1925, t h a t ' t h e t r e e is
t h e r e a n d i n t h e m a i n t h e a c c o u n t i s t r u e . T h e circle a t
t h e foot of t h e t r e e w a s a b o u t 80 m a y b e 100 feet in
d i a m e t e r . T h e t r e e looked n o t h i n g like t h e d r a w i n g s [in
1
E s c a p e d from t h e E m b r a c e of t h e M a n - E a t i n g T r e e . American
W e e k l y , J a n . 4 , 1925.
Sacrificed to a man-eating plant. American Weekly, September
26, 1920.
Escaped from the embrace of the man-eating tree. American
Weekly, January 4, 1925.
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND "THE MAN-EATING TREE" 19

t h e p a p e r ] . It was r o u n d as a smoke s t a c k — t h e t r u n k , I
mean, a n d d a r k g r a y or ash-color. T h e whole tree was
symmetrical a n d t h e tree a n d g r o u n d u n d e r it, was v e r y
inviting to a s t o r m - b e s e t or sun-depressed traveller. T h e
clucking a n d hissing was, I j u d g e d , from a gluey con-
sistency of, or on, t h e leaves. My impression was t h a t if
it reached me, it would fasten a n d hold me, t h u s it h a d
done to apes, birds, a n d a n i m a l s . ' "'
T h e A m e r i c a n version of this m y t h h a s at least t h e
a d v a n t a g e of discarding t h e sensational a n d pseudoscien-
tific feature c o m m o n to t h e o t h e r r e p o r t s , a n d introducing
into t h e legend a n o t e of h u m o r o u s exaggeration.

THE FLY-CATCHER PLANT OF THE DESERT


"Wide-eyed t o u r i s t s listen a r o u n d t h e desert c a m p f i r e s
to t h e sad t a l e of R o t - G u t P e t e , w h o vanished between
Salome, Arizona, a n d his cabin one gloomy night. It
seems t h a t P e t e h a d been celebrating s o m e t h i n g or o t h e r
at t h e L a s t C h a n c e Saloon, a n d left s h o r t l y after m i d n i g h t
with t h r e e sheets in t h e wind a n d no pilot. A few d a y s
later, when P e t e showed up missing in his regular h a u n t s ,
a search p a r t y t r a c k e d him i n t o t h e desert.
"Finally, at t h e base of a v e r y large fly-catcher plant,
t h e searchers found a w a t c h , forty-two boot-nails, eleven
b u t t o n s , a six-gun, a belt buckle, a n d t w o silver dollars.
T h e y identified t h e g u n a s P e t e ' s b y c o u n t i n g t h e notches.
P e t e it seems, h a d leaned against one of t h e fly-catcher
p l a n t s , a n d t h e t h i n g had closed on him. L a t e r , when t h e
p l a n t was gorged, it had opened again, dropping t h e
metallic debris on t h e ground. Y o u h a v e to be v e r y care-
ful o u t in t h e d e s e r t . " 2

This, in its way, seems to e m b o d y t h e quintessence of


" t h e m a n - e a t i n g t r e e " motif.
1
C l u t e , Willard, " M a n - E a t i n g T r e e s , " A m e r i c a n B o t a n i s t , vol.
31, Apr. 1925, pp. 70-73.
2
I v e s , R o n a l d L., " Y o u D o n ' t H a v e t o Believe It," Science
N e w s L e t t e r , Apr. 2 , 1 9 3 8 .
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Anon. Sacrificed t o a M a n E a t i n g P l a n t , A m e r i c a n W e e k l y ,
Sept. 26, 1920.
W i l l i a m , B . H . , E s c a p e d from t h e E m b r a c e o f t h e M a n E a t i n g
Tree, American W e e k l y , Jan. 4, 1925.
ANDREW, WILSON
"Science J o t t i n g s , " The Illustrated London News, Aug. 27, 1892,
S e p t . 2 4 , 1892.
BECCARI, ODOARDO
Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo, Travels and Researches
of a N a t u r a l i s t in B o r n e o . L o n d o n : 1904.
CLUTE, WILLARD N.
" M a n - E a t i n g T r e e s , " American Botanist, Vol. 3 1 , Apr. 1925.
COOKE, C. M.
F r e a k s a n d M a r v e l s of P l a n t Life. L o n d o n , 1882.
DARWIN, CHARLES
Insectivorous Plants. N e w Y o r k , 1892.
EMERY, HENRY
L a V e g e t a l e , H i s t o i r e des P l a n t e s , 1878.
GEDDES, PATRICK
Chapters in Modern B o t a n y . N e w Y o r k , 1893.
H A M I L T O N , A. G.
" N o t e s on t h e W e s t A u s t r a l i a n P i t c h e r p l a n t " (Cephalotus follicu-
laris, Labill.), P r o c e e d i n g s of t h e L i n n e a n S o c i e t y of N e w S o u t h
W a l e s , P a r t I , M a r c h 3 0 , 1904.
IVES, RONALD L.
"You Don't Have to Believe It." Science N e w s Letter, Apr. 2,
1938.
KILLKELLY, S. H.
Curious Q u e s t i o n s in H i s t o r y , L i t e r a t u r e , A r t a n d Social Life
d e s i g n e d as a M a n u a l of General I n f o r m a t i o n . 1889.
MOSELEY, H. N.
"A Carnivorous Plant Preying on Vertebrata." Nature 30: 81.
MAIER, MAX
"Fleischfressende B a u m e . " G a r t e n w e l t 3 3 : 4 6 6 , A u g . 16, 1929.
OSBORN, SALMON CHASE
M a d a g a s c a r — L a n d o f t h e M a n - E a t i n g Tree. N . Y . 1924.
PHYFE, WILLIAM HENRY
5000 F a c t s a n d F a n c i e s . N. Y. 1901.
SKINNER, CHARLES M.
M y t h s and L e g e n d s o f F l o w e r s , T r e e s , F r u i t s , a n d P l a n t s . Phila-
d e l p h i a a n d L o n d o n , 1925.
STIMSON, GEORGE W.
Popular Questions Answered. 1930.
VINCENT, FRANK
The Plant World—Its Romances and Realities—A Reading Book
of B o t a n y . 1897.
VON MARILAUN, ANTON KERNER
T h e N a t u r a l H i s t o r y o f P l a n t s , T r a n s l . b y F . W . Oliver, N e w York,
H e n r y H o l t and C o . , 1 8 9 5 .
20

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