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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 14, No. 401, November 28, 1829 by Various
page 7 of 50 (14%)
hardness was found to exist at the upper part of the cord only, and to
be prolonged into the breast of each boy. Tracing it upwards, I found
it to be constituted by a prolongation of the _ensiform cartilage of
the sternum_, or extremity of the breast-bone. The cartilages
proceeding from each sternum meet at an angle, and then seem to be
connected by a ligament, so as to form a joint. This joint has a
motion upwards and downwards, and also a lateral motion--the latter
operating in such a way, that when the boys turn in either direction,
the edges of the cartilage are found to open and shut.

* * * * *

"Besides this there is nothing remarkable felt in the connecting
substance. I could distinguish no pulsating vessel. The whole of this
cord is covered by the skin. It is remarkably strong, and has no great
sensibility, for they allow themselves to be pulled by a rope fastened
to it, without exhibiting uneasiness. On ship board, one of them
sometimes climbed on the capstan of the vessel, the other following as
well as he could, without complaining. When I first saw the boys, I
expected to see them pull on this cord in different directions, as
their attention was attracted by different objects. I soon perceived
that this did not happen. The slightest impulse of one to move in any
direction is immediately followed by the other; so that they appear to
be influenced by the same wish."

This harmony in their movements, Dr. Warren thinks, is a habit formed
by necessity. His further account of their habits is extremely
curious:

"They always face in one direction, standing nearly side by side,
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