52 Two-Headed Snakes. 
Of such perpetuation of the species, there is no evidence 
whatsoever. A procreating association, or union of male 
and female parents. has never been observed, because such 
connexions do not exist. The birth and parentage of these 
strange and enormous productions, have been hitherto un- 
known; because, until Dr. Voight’s important disclosure, 
nota naturalist could tell whence they came. 
My own judgment on the case under consideration, is, that 
the miscreated and extraordinary constitution of the three 
young black snakes is owing to monstrosity ; and by a simi- 
Jar anomaly in nature to that which occasionally produces 
monsters in the black snake, they may be engendered in other 
serpents belonging to the numerous species of Coluber. 
If it should be asked, wherefore it happens that two-head- 
ed monsters are more frequent among serpents than other 
animals, it may be answered that this is very far from being 
ascertained and established. Two-headed births are by no 
means uncommon in other creatures; among which may be 
enumerated dogs, cats, swine, sheep, kine, and even the hu- 
man race. Generally they are still-born, or very short 
lived ; and, by reason of their hideous and disgusting shapes, 
are soon removed from sight. 
The like happens to other animals; and, among the ovi- 
parous class, to poultry, and domesticated birds. The 
two-headed monsters usually die soon after hatching. 
I have heard of a two-headed tortoise (Testudo,) that lived 
to acquire a considerable size, by having taken food at both 
mouths. 
Two-headed serpents, hitherto, seem to have been of smai! 
or diminutive size; leading toa belief that their organiza- 
tion, which allowed them to live and enlarge for a shori 
term, or aseason, forbade them to reach entire expansion. 
and oid age. 
Serpents are destitute of limbs, and are consequently in- 
capable of monstrosity, in feet, legs, hands, and arms, either 
by defect, redundancy, or malformation, when it happens, 
therefore, monstrosity must be in the head or tail, and the 
head is most frequently the seat of it. 
The prominent peculiarity in these monsters, is that they 
céan continue alive so long, that they can receive and con- 
coct food, and that they can thereby be nourished, and ac- 
quire bulk. It ts to those qualities differing from the gene- 
