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

DESCRIPTION: "“As we've stood here talking, Barrows, one of those trees wrapped about the top of the other and pulled its mate back. Like a slingshot.” He detected a stealthy movement in the skimpy foliage, and suddenly grabbed Barrows' arm. and dragged him back out of danger. There was a creaking, a sharp rustle, and a vicious whip-crack as the rubbery trunk lashed out at them like a catapult. The two men were out of harm's way, but the duncerabbit Hear-No-Evil was struck squarely across the back. Nearly every bone in his little body was broken, and he collapsed like an empty sack on the ground'. The sling-shot tree moved very deliberately toward its victim, turning like a sunflower, touched the shattered creature delicately like a cat sniffing garbage, then slowly withdrew." ("The Dual World" by Arthur K. Barnes)

NOTES: Most creatures in the Lost Continent of Venus are twins. The Slingshot tree has evolved to take advantage of this by having one half use the other as a weapon.

HISTORY: The Slingshot Tree is one of several bizarre plants on Barnes' Venus. Another is the Electric Plant.