Science: Two of a Kind

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There is some doubt as to whether Siamese twins should be discussed in terms of the singular or plural, although from the examples of mental incompatibility they seem occasionally less congenial than identical twins. Margaret ("Maggie") and Mary ("Puddin' ") Gibbs of Holyoke, Mass., reputedly the only U. S. born and bred Siamese twins, vaudeville artists, deny that they are identical. "We have different ideas of pleasure," they say. In England alcoholism and prohibition are united in one pair of Siamese twins.

Dr. G. P. Crowden, physiologist of University College, London, made a 25 year study on a pair of identical twins. They had the same illnesses at the same time during this period. Their profile photographs superimposed in any year resulted in a perfect outline, with no marring double line. X-ray photographs of their skulls superimposed in every part, and their body measurements, height, weight were practically identical. Finger prints of one were mirror images of fingerprints of the other. The blood composition and count, the temperature and respiration rates were the same. They had the same temperaments and attitudes of mind. Accused of cheating in an examination because they had made the same mistake in the same problem while the rest of their papers were identical, only the statement of the form master that they were at opposite ends of a long hall and could not possibly have conferred vindicated them.