The Incredible Myth Behind the Feejee Mermaid

For every Darwin who stepped forward to enlighten the public by dispelling superstition, there was a Barnum who was happy to provide them with some wonder – for a special discounted fee, of course. And for the price of a half-loaf of bread, any child of the 1840’s who was hard up for a little excitement could witness Dr. Griffin’s stupendous find, the Feejee Mermaid, courtesy of his business associate, Mr. Barnum.