avel. These dwarfs had grown
rapidly in recent years and at the time of report, measured 1.15 and
1.02 meters. In 1874 they were under the care of the Royal Geographical
Society of Italy. They were intelligent in their manner, but resented
being lionized too much, and were prone to scratch ladies who attempted
to kiss them.

The "Aztec Children" in 1851, at the ages of seven and six years,
another pair of alleged indigenous pygmies, measured 33 3/4 and 29 1/2
inches in height and weighed 20 3/4 and 17 pounds respectively. The
circumference of their heads did not equal that of an ordinary infant
at birth.

It is known that at one time the ancients artificially produced dwarfs
by giving them an insufficient alimentation when very young. They soon
became rachitic from their deprivation of lime-salts and a great number
perished, but those who survived were very highly prized by the Roman
Emperors for their grotesque appearance. There were various recipes for
dwarfing children. One of the most efficient in the olden times was
said to have been anointing the backbone with the grease of bats,
moles, dormice, and such animals; it was also said that puppies were
dwarfed by frequently washing the feet and backbone, as the consequent
drying and hardening of the parts were alleged to hinder their
extension. To-day the growth of boys intended to be jockeys is kept
down by excessive sweating.

Ancient Popularity of Dwarfs.--At one time a dwarf was a necessary
appendage of every noble family. The Roman Emperors all had their
dwarfs. Julia, the niece of Augustus, had a couple of dwarfs, Conopas
and Andromeda, each of whom was 2 feet 4 inches in height. It was the
fashion at one time to have dwarfs noted for their wit and wisdom.
Philos of Cos, tutor of Ptolemy Philadelphus, was a dwarf, as were
Carachus, the friend of Saladin; Alypius of Alexandria, who was only 2
feet high; Lucinus Calvus, who was only 3 feet high, and aesop, the
famous Greek fabulist. Later in the Middle Ages and even to the last
century dwarfs were seen at every Court. Lady Montagu describes the
dwarfs at the Viennese Court as "devils bedaubed with diamonds." They
had succeeded the Court Jester and exercised some parts of this ancient
office. At this time the English ladies kept monkeys for their
amusement. The Court dwarfs were allowed unlimited freedom of speech,
and in order to get at truths other men were afraid to utter one of the
Kings of Denmark made one