SOURCE: "The Dual World" by Arthur K. Barnes  (Thrilling Wonder Stories, June 1938)

DESCRIPTION: "By the nose of the plane was a curious plant growth, the sole living thing in the entire clearing. It had three parts: there were two upright stems of tough, leathery stuff, one rising on each side of the plane; in between was a large, flat cup oozing a sticky substance from its walls. As Strike watched, the two stems moved slowly about as if seeking a more vulnerable spot. Again the dazzling bolt crashed from one stem to the other, apparently straight through the motor. “By Jupiter!” Strike exclaimed. “It's an electric plant! The two stems act as poles. It generates juice galvanically, like an electric eel, and shoots its bolt from one pole to the other! Anything it hits naturally drops into the nasty looking cup to be digested forthwith!"...“Get a load of that smell!” It was a heavy musklike odor-spiced with mint. “Lures things with the smell, probably has a network of sensitive rootlets to register the approach of a victim, then gives 'em the hot seat! Good name for this jigger would be the Circe plant, eh?” “Very apt name, sir.” “Though you'd think, the plant being grounded, that its charge would all leak away. Must have some way of sealing off its cells before generating the electricity.” ("The Dual World" by Arthur K. Barnes)

NOTES: The Electric Plant is native to the Lost Continent of Venus. It is usually found in a clearing, having killed all things in close proximity. The electrical charge of the plant can stall or damage spacecraft.

HISTORY: Barnes is having fun with the pun in this creature's name. Despite this he has thought the idea all the way through, coming up with a way for the creature to generate electricity, attract victims and detect their approach.