The "Feejee Mermaid" was one of the greatest of P.T. Barnum's hoaxes of the
last century. This was a concoction of the body of a large fish sewn onto the
chest of an ape and with an ape's head. Details can be found in the new book
on P.T. Barnum (I'll find the citation if anyone is interested). There is even
a drawing of it and its history.

Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ  85287-1006
Tel: (602) 965-4579              FAX: (602) 965-9169
[log in to unmask]  Owner: HISTARCH, SPANBORD, SUB-ARCH