214 Appendix. — Account of the Siamese Twin Brothers. 



actly in a parallel line, they are able to run and leap with surprising 

 activity. On some occasions, a gentleman, in sport, pursued them 

 round the ship, when they came suddenly to the hatchway, which 

 had been inadvertently left open. The least check would have 

 thrown them down the hatchway, and probably killed one or both ; 

 but they leaped over it without difficulty. 



They are quite cheerful : appear intelligent ; attending to what- 

 ever is presented to them, and readily acknowledging any civility. — 

 As a proof of their intelligence, it is stated, that in a few days, they 

 learned to play at drafts well enough to become antagonists of those 

 who had long been versed in the game. They sometimes play with. 

 each other j and it has been noticed, that when one made a bad move, 

 the other would sometimes correct it, and propose it should be taken 

 back. They differ in intellectual vigor. The perceptions of one 

 are more acute than those of the other ; and there is a corresponding 

 coincidence in moral qualities. He who appears most intelligent, is 

 somewhat irritable in temper ; while the disposition of the other is ex- 

 tremely mild. 



The connexion between these boys might present an opportunity 

 for some interesting observations, in regard to physiology and pathol- 

 ogy. There is, no doubt, a network of blood vessels, lymphatics 

 and some minute nerves passing from one to the other. How far 

 these parts are capable of transmitting the action of medicines, and 

 of diseases, and especially of what particular medicines, and what 

 diseases, are points well worthy of investigation. Captain Coffin in- 

 formed me, that they had never taken medicine since they had been 

 under his care. Once they were ill from eating too heartily, but 

 were relieved by the efforts of nature. He thinks that any indispo- 

 sition of one extends to the other; that they are inclined to sleep at 

 the same time ; eat about the same quantity, and perform other acts 

 with great similarity. Both he and Mr. Hunter, the gentleman who 

 united with him in bringing them here, are of opinion that touching 

 one of them when they are asleep, awakens both. Wlien they are 

 awake, an impulse given to one, does not in the least, affect the oth- 

 er. There is evidently no impression received by him who is not 

 touched. Of course the opinion just mentioned, is undoubtedly er- 

 roneous. The slightest movement of one is so speedily perceived 

 by the other ; as to deceive those who have not observed closely. — 

 There is no part of them, which has a common perception, excepting 

 the middle of the connecting cord and a space near it. When a 



