The southern press., 1851-05-10

Aztec DWARF CHnpREE.-The two Indian
Dwarfs from Central America that have attracted
so much attention in Boston, are to be exhibited
for a few days at Beecker hall. They are most
extraordinary remains Of that almost extinct race
that once inhabited Central America, Of whom
STEVENS and CATHERwooD have given such inter-
estng accounts. .
DR.. WARREN furnished an account of these
children for the "Journal of the Medical Scien-
ces, (" from which we gather some particulars.
The children are evidently brother and sister,
the former about eight and the latter about six
years old. The boy is SO inches in height and
weighs 81 pounds. The girl is 80 inches in
height and weighs II pounds. They are darker
than mulatto, with jet black but soft wavy hair.
They have lustrous eyes and prominent noses.
These children, though Of our own species,
stand low down in the scale of humanity, physi-
language, though they articulate some words and
comprehend many things said to them.
Professor KNEELAHD, in an article on "ldiocy, Z
speaks thus o. the Aztecs:-
These children are now known to be dwarf
specimens Of Central American race of Indians,
such as may occur in any race; though no dwarfs
on record have equalled these in the smallness of
their crania. The brain seems merely too small,
without any great disproportion in any of its
parts; though, as usual, there is relative infer-
GRITTY Of the anterior lobes, which may partly be
accounted for by external circumstances with
them favoring the development and exercise of
the animal functions more than the intellectual.
II is almost a harmonious want of development
(if the expression be allowable,) which gives
them more the appearance of men in miniature
than of idiots, though from the dwarfed condition
Of their brains they necessarily parals IDIOTS.
The prominence Of their features, though consid-
cradle, is exaggerated by their retreating fore
heads; their bodies and extremites are well form
ed; they have good command over their muscles,
and are quite agile, being continually in motion,
differing in this respect from the majority Of idi-
OTIS. They certainly artculate words, and make
variety of animal-like noises, expressive ofther
wants, of anger, ofjoy, Of surprise, and Of other
feelings, which imply considerable intelligence.
They understand speech in others to certain ex-
tent, as they obey like little child; so that, as re-
CARDS speech, as much seems to depend on an alb
normal condition Of the vocal organs, or the
nerves supplying them, as on any intellectual de-
feet. The senses are acute, especially sight and
hearing; they are very attentive and curious, ca
gerly examining every object. They in part feed
cent in their habits, afectionate towards each
other and to strangers; and they manifest desires
and degree of knowledge which place them
high in the class Of idiots ifnot quite above them.
The fact that the boy drives, characteristic Of
idocy as to have become byword, loses some of
its significance when it is known that he is under
going the process Of his second denttion. Though
they are dwarfs and idiots, yet they cannot be
placed in the lowest classes; they exhibit such evil
dent signs Of intelligence, and are wanting in SO
many Of the usual symptoms of idocy, that we
have little doubt that judicous system Of educa-
ton would enable them to take much higher
rank among human beings than they now occupy.
The children are in good health, active and
playful. Their appearance and gait resembles
that of the monkey tribe. But after all, 'the hu-
man face divine" reveals their true origin.
Mr.. KNOX, who has the care Of these children,
treats them with great attention and kindness, and
is endeavoring, far possible, to develope and
improve their faculties. Visitors will find no.
thing repusive or unpleasant in the appearance or
manners of these children On the contrary, after
surprise, they become agreeable and interest
| ing.