# Feejee Mermaid's Evolutionary Myth

> A Feejee Mermaid exhibit in Colorado reveals how a 19th-century hoax sparked 19th-century debates about evolution.
- Title: Feejee Mermaid's Evolutionary Myth · The Conversation
- Summary: A Feejee Mermaid exhibit in Colorado reveals how a 19th-century hoax sparked 19th-century debates about evolution. A Feejee Mermaid replica at Denver Museum…
- Keywords: feejee mermaid, denver museum, p.t. barnum, evolutionary tree, mythic creatures, sideshow gaff, mermaid folklore, The Conversation
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/a-feejee-mermaid-on-display-in-colorado-may-shock-and-intrigue-but-its-no-longer-considered-a-missing-link-on-the-evolutionary-tree-294775
- Author: Jack Daly
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: feejee mermaid, denver museum, p.t. barnum, evolutionary tree, mythic creatures, sideshow gaff, mermaid folklore, science, ideas
## Feejee Mermaid Exhibit
A Feejee Mermaid replica is displayed at Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
## Historical Origins
Feejee Mermaids originated in Japan and the East Indies over 400 years ago.
## P.T. Barnum's Hoax
P.T. Barnum displayed a Feejee Mermaid as a hoax in New York City in 1842.
## Barnum's Scheme
Barnum used fake letters and pamphlets to create a myth about a mermaid skeleton.
## Public Reaction
Visitors found Barnum's mermaid grotesque and described it as a dried-up, dying creature.
## Evolutionary Debate
The Feejee Mermaid sparked debates about whether it was a missing link in evolution.
## Modern Significance
The Feejee Mermaid remains a symbol of how folklore and science intersected in 19th-century America.
## Key takeaway

A Feejee Mermaid replica at Denver Museum shows how a 19th-century American hoax inspired scientific and mythological discussions.