458 Duplicate Twins and Double Monsters 



Physical Measurements of Duplicate Twins. 



The physical measurements are far less determinative than are the 

 other characters employed since they are liable to fluctuations through 

 numerous causes, both external and internal, and it could hardly be 

 expected that the similarities here would be very striking. 



There is often, however, much correspondence in the events of life 

 since, while children at least, duplicate twins are usually closer com- 

 panions than in the case of most children. Such twins almost uni- 

 versally use the pronoun " we " when referring to themselves,' or when 

 relating past experiences, and one young lady, a duplicate twin, con- 

 fessed that she never felt like kissing her twin sister, on the ground that 

 the latter did not seem like a distinct person. Cases are common in 

 which duplicate twins are affected by the same diseases at the same 

 time and with about the same result, and I know of two little twins 

 with straight hair, who experienced typhoid fever together, after which 

 their hair came out curly in each case. This constant and close com- 

 panionship and participation in mutual experiences would naturally 

 tenfl to a uniform development in each up to the period of adult life; 

 but from this point on, in the majority of instances, the twins separate 

 and the varied experiences to which they then become subjected usually 

 produce more or less marked differences in their later physical de- 

 velopment. 



Physical statistics, then, in order to be of value, should be taken 

 during the younger life, or at least before there is any marked difference 

 in experience, and in the four cases here presented (Table VI) these 

 conditions are met with, as they are all those of young people, the age of 

 each at the time of measurement being designated in the table. The 

 Eoman numerals are those of the sets in my collection as used else- 

 where in this paper. The capital B, placed at the extreme left, desig- 

 nates a measurement as one that is employed in the Bertillon system. 

 The measurements are in millimeters. In the next to the last line, 

 under the item Weight, I, II and III are given in pounds, VI in kilos. 



These statistics show that in twins of the age here represented there 

 is quite a little difference, both in girths and lengths, although, as may 

 be expected, there is a greater difference in those which depend upon 



' This form of language, almost as distinctive, when used habitually, as the 

 " thee " dialect of the Quakers, is well shown by the following extract from a 

 letter from one of the sets in reply to a request for prints: "Our brother 

 told us that we might hear from you and we were interested in your articles 

 and shall be glad to take some prints of ourselves." 



