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NATURAL HISTORY. 
THE BULRUSH CATERPILLAR. 
Description of the Bulrush Caterpillar (Sphceria Robertsia; 
Native name, Aiveto-HoteteJ. 
This singular plant, which is a native of New Zealand, may 
be classed amongst the most remarkable productions of the 
vegetable kingdom. 
There are birds which dispossess others of their nests, and 
marine animals which take up their abode in deserted shells; 
but this plant surpasses all, in killing and taking possession, 
making the body of an insect—and that, too, very probably, 
a living one—the foundation from whence it rears its stem, and 
the source from which it derives its support. It certainly 
forms one of the most surprising links between the animal and 
vegetable kingdom yet noticed, and, as such, merits as circum¬ 
stantial a description as our present imperfect acquaintance 
with it will allow. 
The aweto is chiefly found at the root of the rata (metro- 
sideros robusta). The plant, in every instance, exactly fills 
the body of the caterpillar, in the finest specimens it attains 
the length of three inches and a half; and the stem, which 
germinates from this metamorphosed body, is from six to ten 
inches high ; its apex, when in a state of fructification, re¬ 
sembles the club-headed bulrush in miniature. There are 
no leaves—a solitary stem comprises the entire plant; if any 
accident breaks it off, a second arises from the same spot. 
The body is always found buried, and the greater portion of 
the stalk as well ; when the plant has attained its maturity, 
it soon dies away. 
These curious plants are far from being uncommon. When 
fresh, they have the flavor of a nut. The natives eat them, 
and likewise used them when burnt as coloring matter for their 
tattooing, rubbing the powder into the wounds, in which state 
it has a strong animal smell. 
When newly dug up, the substance of the caterpillar is 
soft; and being divided longitudinally, the intestinal canal is 
distinctly seen. Most specimens possess the legs entire, with 
