Man Eating Tree of Madagascar

The Ya-Te-Veo, or Man Eating Tree, Armand Welcker, from original wood engraved plate, 1887 Illustrator: Armand WelckerEngraver: Philadelphia Wood Engraving Co.From: J.W. Buel, Sea and Land,page 476.Published: Philadelphia, Standard Publishing Company, 1887.Image size: Approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches.Page size: 8½ x 11 inchesCondition: Excellent; crisp print, fine quality, professional photo paper, matte finish Comments: The Ya-Te-Veo (“Now-I-See-You”) is the infamous “Man-Eating Tree of Madagascar” that has inspired scores of tales in novels, movies and musicals.  In his book Buel relays a tale from travelers about the “marvelous vegetable Minotaur” that a first, resembles a comfortable couch, but quickly ensnares its resting victim. “The moment his feet are set within the circle of the horrid spines, they rise up, like gigantic serpents, and entwine themselves about him until he is drawn upon the stump, when they speedily drive their daggers into his body and thus complete the massacre.