AMES, IA—Leading agriculturalists reported Wednesday that many vegetables, including carrots, eggplants, and zucchini are evolving rich, creamy chocolate centers in order to ensure their survival as a species. "A crop must adapt to changes in the food-consumption environment and develop traits that encourage the plant's cultivation and consumption," said Professor Gavin Tibald of Iowa State Univer-sity, showing off a recently discovered variety of beet that releases carbonated sugar water when its skin is pierced. "If a species doesn't entice farmers and consumers with an ooey, gooey goodness, it will die off and be replaced by a plant that does." A similar phenomenon was observed last year when Danish fishermen discovered a species of scallop that appeared to have perpetuated itself by growing a thick layer of bacon around its body.

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