Recent discoveries of new species in an alpine valley in Madagascar has caused more excitement in botanical circles then did Gregor Mendel's peas. The intrepid explorer, Sir Brian Chamleigh (pronounced Chumley) has presented his discoveries in a recent talk at the Royal Society of Botany. Sir Brian was fascinated by rumors that the pygmies that inhabited the central forest had knowledge of a forbidden, unexplored, region. None of the coastal natives dared to enter the territory but Sir Brian was able to assemble a group of bearers by promising to pay them triple the standard rate of two batnikks a week.
The party knew they were approaching dangerous territory when they encountered the horribilis trees. It was then that the pygmies attacked, killing many of the bearers and causing the remainder to flee. All but one, Mgwdilli, who was rooted to the spot with fear. The pygmies evaporated into the forest as quickly as they had appeared, leaving but the two survivors and an uneasy feeling on the part of Sir Brian. He convinced Mgwdilli to continue by saying that the pygmies were now between them and the coast and it was better to move on than to go through their land once again.
Sir Brian's enthusiasm took a leap when, after surmounting a mountain chain, he saw below him a verdant valley. He and Mgwdilli dashed down to the valley and were immediately surrounded by strange and wondrous plants and trees. Their joy was brought to an abrupt halt by an unearthly scream from Mgwdilli. He had been bitten by a deadly, venomous creature. Sir Brian was unable to help the poor man who succumbed after writhing in agony for a few seconds. Imagine Sir Brian's surprise when he discovered the poisonous creature was a plant. What other deadly botanicals were there in this forbidding valley? He reported to the Society that thereafter he carefully watched where he was stepping.
In a clearing he was surprised to see a tree that went through its entire cycle of birth to death in merely minutes. What could have caused this astonishing development? His question was soon answered when a large creature came crashing through the underbrush. It appeared to be a cross between a Wildebeest and a Rhinoceros. It was obviously a herbivore as it devoured all plant life before it. The tree must have developed its rapid maturity to escape extinction by being eaten to death before reproducing.
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