If this be so, then the
teratologic difficulty is removed, for the case becomes perfectly
comparable with the well-known but rare type of double terata
known as the pygopagous twins, which is placed by Taruffi with
that of the ischiopagous twins in the group dicephalus
lecanopagus. Similar instances, which are well known to students
of teratology, are the Hungarian sisters (Helen and Judith), the
North Carolina twins (Millie and Christine), and the Bohemian
twins (Rosalie and Josepha Blazek). The interspace between the
thoraces may, however, have simply been the addition of the first
artist who portrayed the Maids (from imagination?); then it may
be surmised that they were ectopagous twins.
"Pygopagous twins are fetuses united together in the region of
the nates and having each its own pelvis. In the recorded cases
the union has been usually between the sacra and coccyges, and
has been either osseous or (more rarely) ligamentous. Sometimes
the point of junction was the middle line posteriorly, at other
times it was rather a posterolateral union; and it is probable
that in the Biddenden Maids it was of the latter kind; and it is
likely, from the proposal made to separate the sisters after the
death of one, that it was ligamentous in nature.
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