124 Account of the Siamese Twins, 



other. They were, though strange, not ungraceful, and with- 

 out the appearance of constraint and irksomeness. The average 

 height of their countrymen is less than that of Europeans, and 

 they seem rather short for their age, even judging them by 

 their own standard. They are much shorter than the ordinary 

 run of youths in this country at 18 years of age, and are both 

 of the same height. In personal appearance there is, indeed, 

 such a striking resemblance between them, that, except from 

 position, it is difficult to distinguish one from the other. In 

 the colour of their skin, — in the form of the nose, lips, and eyes, 

 they resemble the Chinese ; but they have not that broad and 

 flat face which is characteristic of the Mongol race. Their 

 foreheads are higher and narrower than those of the majority of 

 their countrymen. The expression of their countenance is cheer- 

 ful and pleasing raiher than otherwise, and they seem much de- 

 lighted with any attention paid to them. I'heir appearance beto- 

 kens perfect health. To their friends and attendants, and to each 

 other, they are said to be much attached. They read the counte- 

 nance of the visitor readily, and are easily affronted with any ex- 

 pressions of pride or contempt. They have not learnt, we believe, 

 any manual art beyond rowing a boat, but they can run and jump, 

 and climb rigging with great facility. They are dressed in a short 

 loose green jacket and trowsers, the costume of their country, 

 which is very convenient, and allows the utmost freedom of mo- 

 tion, but does not show the form of the boys to advantage. 

 Almost all such deviations as this from the usual forms of na- 

 ture are offensive, but there is nothing in the appearance of 

 these boys to excite a single unpleasant emotion. With their 

 arms twined round each other, as they bend down or move 

 about, they look like a group of statuary. 



It has been stated that they never speak to each other, but 

 this is a mistake ; though, as they appear to have a means 

 of communication more rapid than by words, we cannot 

 be surprised that they do not use their tongues readily. 

 They constitute, we believe, the most remarkable specimen 

 ever yet known, of two human bodies, perfect in all their 

 parts, having all their animal functions separate and dis- 

 tinct ; all the powers of locomotion, and all the faculties of 

 each belonging to himself; in short, of two separate persons 



