The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-05-24
EXTRAORDINARY FREAK OF NATURE.
THH DARWIyriS THEoRY UP IGdIs.
Dwarf with Unmistakab1e Physical
ana Mental Yeculiartt1es Of
the Monkey.

II we were writing puff for a show
we would preface this notice OF the ex-
traordinary dwarf now on exhibition at
the Academy OF Music by copying the
glowing handbill which details her age,
height and weight, and the countries In
which she has appeared to the astonish-
meut OF the people, but as we are chron-
icling an important fact, one In which
science must take more than an ordi-
nary interest, we will speak the plain
truth abost
LUCIA zAfATE.
the dwarf In question. This is her sec
ond appearance in public, having Eek
hibited" only once before In the City OF
Mexico. This extraordinary lusus
ndturp. we are informed by Capt Roig,
In charge Of the Academy, was born
about the year 1864 in San Carlos, near
Vera Cruz, and is consequently about
twelve years OF age. In height she In
about twenty inches, and weighs about
five pounds. She is accompanied by her
father and motner, both OF whom are OF
average stature, perfect In shape, and
the latter particularly robust and q
buxom good looking lady OF thirty five.
Lucia, the dwarf, was one OF three chill
dren, the eldest Is % young man fully
and perfectly grown. The second was q
dwarf like herself about four inches
taller, who died within the last two
months Of smallpox.
ABOUT HER AGE,
it is difficult to be fixed for. although
ut times the features assume an oldish
look. her infantine proclivities and her
h
that she Is scarcely three or four. But
for all that she would be remarkable as
q dwarf, and although she is not at
tired, for effect, in long clothes, but
wears jaunty short lace dress and
pantAlettes, as becomes o child OF her
size,9 she Is strikingly small. as
her weight indicates, and looks for all
the world like good-sized doll fashion
ably dressed.
ON ENTEHfNG THE vEsrIBULE
OF the Academy. where she Is on exhibit
ton and allowed to run and romp at
pleasure, the visitor has to look around
the floor for the object Of his visit, even
rs for q lost shirt button. and when he
finally discovers her Is surprised only
by her miniature appearance, her gentil-
ity and yivacity. Without being a
handsome child there is nothing repul-
sive about her features which would,
before analysis, compare favOrably with
those Of other children. OF her race.
not pure indio, she is, like
her parents, quite dark an complexion
md has straight black hair.
cLo3fR OBSERVATION,
however, discloses some singular pecu
iarities. both mental and physical,
which have escaped u cursory notice.
the lower part OF the face
evidences unmistGkable assimilation to
,he monkey, which is made stH more
by frequent sticking
lllt and drawing in OF the tongue by
'apid motion, just us the smaller
'pecies of monkeys do, and
HER SPEECH
urther confirms the impression. In
his respect she will compare with u
,hild two years old; monosyllabic with
title coNrdenation, and ut times inco- |
lerent. Her voice is q thin insulating |
,ound, resembling the monkeys chirp |
no. but for ali chat she is exceedingly !
and her understanding quick,
Ter motions rapid, and her disposition
ray and childish. Her restlessness Is
llso remarkable. even while sitting |
Town in her toy rocking chair, the body
md hands being constantly in motion.
HER HANDS
10 not strike the observer at first as
,eing different from those OF other
but at times they not only pre-
ent physical difference but convince
~ their acts that they are controlled by
! mind affected by unhuInan agencies.
When putting these tiny hands together
IN her lap, the backs Of the thumbs
It the first joint are brought into
contact, the hands appear to have
become elongated and the fingers
re thrown outward from the
,oint Of contact. This would he q slight
Indication OF our theory II she did not
initiate the monkey by rub
ling her cheeks with the back Of her
humbs, the hands being open and bent
,utwards las wen as we can express 1t
Without resorting to anatomical terms).
precisely after the manner OF monkeys.
HER EYES
re bleared to certain extent and have
slightly unhuman expressioB while
Ter teeth indicate that she Is further
dvanced in age than her appearance
,ould show.
These impressions were produced In
isit too short to allow OF thorough
Examination OF the peculiarities Of this
sonderful dwarf, but with the satisfac-
ion that she will be an interesting sub
ect for study by physicians and scien-
ific men, we have hastened to make
hem public.
OUR LADY FRIENDS
eed have no apprehensions as to her
ppearance. As we have already said
here is nothing repulsive in the child
fho makes up for want OF beauty by
sprightlessness and many
unning ways which cannot fail to In
crest and amuse them and their child
en-. Lucia Zarate is on exhibition daily
rom ten O'Clock until four.