FAMILY WITH TAILS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1927, Page 1

FAMILY WITH TAILS

SYDNEY DISCOVERY

(Australii n A- N.Z. Cable Association.)

SYDNEY. July 2,

The disc ivory of a family at Surrey Hills. Sydney, with tails is reported by a Sunday newspaper here, wide vouches for the truth and authenticity of its story, without, naturally, disclosing the names of the i ample thus afflicted. The father and a hoy aged 10 years, and two girls, aged six and three years, all have appendages from four to five inches long protruding from the base of the spine. The father, who is 40 years of age. is a descendant of a pioneer of this near city suburb, and his wife is also a native of the same place. The man was horn with a. tail. As an infant, the appendage was two inches long. 11 is father was perfectly normal, hut a paternal ancestor had a curious afflict ion. As the hoy grew to manhood the tail grew also. In his youth it was three inches long, growing directly from the base of the spinal column. It became slightly furred with hair of the same colour as that of his head. When he reached manhood the tail was five inches 1 mg. but has net grown since, although it is now covered with hair. The man exercises considerable power over it. In fact, he can wag it just as any other tailed creature can. llis three children have inherited the same peculiarity.

Sensitiveness, the knowledge that otherwise they were all physically normal. and -.suffering no ill-effects from what other people would term an affliction, together with the father’s closely guarded ancestral secret, restraining the man from medical consultation. Doctors who have attended the children for various childish complaints have recommended the removal of the tails, hut the father has strongly objected to such an operation. Tlio lallier goes about his work, and the children go to school among other children without anyone outside knowing anything of their remarkable eond i t ion.