The New Student's Reference Work/Dwarf

Dwarf, name used especially for people much under the average size of mankind. The ancients believed there were races of dwarfs, and Aristotle declared that eye-witnesses affirmed that many of these little people lived in caves on the banks of the Nile. The most notable dwarf-races of men are the Bushmen, who are about four feet seven inches in height; the Akkas in Central Africa, about four feet ten inches high, by whom Stanley was much troubled in 1881; the Obongos on Gabun River; and the still smaller Batwas, about four feet three inches high. Other tribes of small stature are also reported. In the myths of the old Germanic nations dwarfs play a prominent part. They had their kings and lived in caves within the earth, where they kept treasure and works of art. Dwarfs used to be often kept as court-pets, and lately it has become common to exhibit them as curiosities in shows. The most famous of American dwarfs was Charles Stratton, called General Tom Thumb. When he married Miss Lavinia Warren, in 1863 he was 31 inches in height, his wife being one inch taller. With their child and another dwarf, called Commodore Nutt, they were exhibited through America and England. Flynn of New York, called General Mite, was only 21 inches high. Dwarfs are oftentimes strong for their size and quite intelligent. See Giants and Dwarfs, by E. J. Wood.