united together hy a cartilaginous band. 125 



united and bound together by an inseparable link. They have 

 thus grown up almost to manhood, and there is no reason why 

 they may not live as long as the average duration of human life. 

 We see nothing, even in their formation, why they should not be 

 able to practise several of the arts of life. In their own country 

 they are said to have caught fish, and probably thus to have 

 supplied themselves with sufficient food. They are very strong, 

 and were able to lift a gentleman of considerable weight with 

 great ease. Strange as is their conformation, and helpless as 

 they might appear, they are thus found to possess all the means 

 of providing for themselves. 



A great many curious questions arise on contemplating these 

 youths. Those connected with the science of anatomy, — relat- 

 ing to the structure of the connecting band, and how it is kept 

 alive, whether blood flows into and circulates through it from 

 each, and passes into the system of the other, whether it be 

 composed of bone or cartilage, whether it could be safely divid- 

 ed or not — though the boys, it seems, do not hear with satis- 

 faction of a separation — with many similar curious questions, 

 time only can solve. 



Those questions connected with the minds of the two youths 

 are perhaps of equal importance, and they can only be settled 

 by continued observations. From the reports of Captain Coffin 

 and his companions, the boys seem affected by the same pas- 

 sions, resent the same insults, and are grateful when either 

 receives a benefit. They are affected to a certain extent, by the 

 same pains. A short time ago one of them had a toothach, 

 and the other was observed to be at the same time restless and 

 uneasy ; but though thus similarly affected, it is obvious that 

 one will does not sway them both ; both have a separate power 

 of voluntary motion ; but they are so accustomed to move in 

 unison, that the slightest indication of a wish seems to operate 

 on them both, and they move as if they had but one will. We 

 presume this is the result altogether of habit. When they 

 were children, according to the manners of their country and 

 the poverty of their parents, they would be suffered to roll about 

 on the ground, just like two young animals, and their move- 

 ments being under no control, would always be as much influ- 

 enced by the will of one as of the other ; and the inconve- 



