Mexican Jumping Beans Once Known as "Devil Beans"

1878

"Devil Beans"

In some of the mountainous regions of Mexico, there is a shrub which bears a triangular fruit, composed of three seeds, or beans. Into these seeds, when young a little moth deposits eggs, which hatch into larvae resembling the worms often found in the chestnut.

These beans, we are informed by a correspondent, are collected by Mexican children and brought to the sea coast to sell to sailors and passengers in steamers, which may chance to stop on the trip up or down the coast.

If one of these beans is placed in the hand, or near a stove, or even in the rays of the sun, the little inhabitants will soon begin to twist and turn in his cell, and the greenish, coffee-shaped bean will begin to roll around, sometimes skipping to quite a distance in successive jumps.

If kept in a cool place these beans can be kept several months, but when placed where it is warm for several days, there emerges a little light brown, satin-winged moth. After several months, when the beans are kept cool, the larvae die.

From the fact that these little inanimate berries will become so lively and active when held in the hand for a few moments, the Mexicans and Indians call them "devil beans."