Lid q/ Scottish Patents. 575 



We are favoured with a well-authenticated instance of a similar, but 

 more remarkable, union of twins, in India, which is communicated to us 

 by a gentleman who, in 1807, when on deputation in the province of Coim- 

 batore, as a member of the Board of Revenue at Madras, personally exa- 

 mined the two children, and by whom the following description was drawn 

 up, from observation, at Bhavany. The particulars are not so exact and 

 technical as if they had been the result of medical inspection, which is 

 much to be regretted ; but no professional person was then at the station. 

 A sketch of the appearance presented by the children accompanies the de- 

 scription, but it is too imperfect to afford any additional elucidation. 



The children were females, and born at a village in Coimbatore, in the 

 month of October 1804. At the period of examination, October 1807, 

 they were, of course, three years old. One of them was thirty-four inches 

 high, the other a quarter of an inch shorter. The heads of both were ra- 

 ther long, and the sides of each head much compressed ; the features of 

 each strongly resembled the other. The bodies were joined from the lower 

 part of the breast-bone to the navel, which was common to both. They 

 were thus face to face, and could sleep in no other position. In walking, 

 they moved sideways, and sometimes circularly. They generally slept at 

 the same time, but not always ; and one would cry whilst the other did 

 not. If the body of one was pinched, the other did not appear to feel ; 

 but if the connecting part was pinched, both were sensible of pain. Me- 

 dicine administered to one affected both. The evacuations of each were 

 regular, but at different periods. Both were healthy children, and not 

 otherwise deformed. One was loquacious ; the other talked very little ; 

 the liveliest was rather stouter than the other. Both had had the small- 

 pox, at the same time, and favourably. In moving or looking different 

 ways, or rather in directions contrary to their natural position, they cros- 

 sed their hands and arms. They could walk up stairs, and were active 

 when playing with other children. 



The mother of these girls was a woman of the weaver caste ; she did 

 not, according to the statement of the father, who attended them, suffer 

 particularly in bringing them into the world. The same woman subse- 

 quently was delivered of separate twins, which were living at the time 

 when this examination took place. 



What became of this curiously united pair we are not told : it is proba- 

 ble, and perhaps to be hoped, considering how severe a tax existence must 

 be in such circumstances, that their lives were not prolonged. — Astatic 

 Journal, No- 1, New Series, p. 17. 



Art. XXVII.— LIST OF PATENTS GRANTED IN SCOTLAND 

 SINCE JULY 15, 1829. 



15. July 8. For an Improved method of constructing Ships' Pintles for 

 hanging the Rudder. To John Lichou, county of Middlesex. 



16. August 4. For a Machine or Engine for dressing of Stones used in 

 Masonry by the assistance of a Steam Engine, a Wind, a Horse, or a Water 

 Power. To James Milke, Edinburgh. 



