An article in “The Miller” dating from 1900 tells this wonderful story of the mill-swallowing tree.
“The annexed cut, which is reproduced from the Strand Magazine, shows a tree in the act of swallowing a corn mill. Fifteen years ago, in Natal, South Africa, a hand corn mill was attached to a post some 6 ins. In diameter. Soon after the owner erected a small water mill, and the post mill fell into disuse. The post, which was green when placed in the ground, had meanwhile taken root, and commenced to grow. The mill is now in process of being swallowed by the tree, and if nothing intervenes will doubtless disappear in course of time, as innumerable other articles have which have been attached to trees.”