The Developing of Communication 



hunters so that the pointing signal was of no use or benefit 

 and this led to the Invention of sound signals that could be 

 heard but not seen. 



The signalling systems have reached a high degree of 

 perfection among all primitive peoples. The natives In the 

 jungles of Africa use a system of Imitative calls for sound 

 signals. These calls Imitate the common calls of the birds 

 found In the locality and their purpose Is to deceive the 

 hunted animals against their approach In case any unusual 

 noise Is made. Their reasoning Is well founded for so long 

 as the native birds are calling undisturbed, the animals that 

 are the objects of their hunt will not be alarmed at any slight 

 unusual sound. But there are times and conditions among 

 the savage tribes when it Is necessary as a means of self 

 protection to have a system of sound communication that 

 will outreach the human voice and this has given rise to the 

 practice of drum signalling. Sound signals by the use of 

 drums are employed as a means of communicating from vil- 

 lage to village in case of war and as warning against the 

 approach of an enemy. This is a code signal which Is under- 

 stood by all those members of the tribes who hear It and 

 nothing will cause greater consternation and quicker action 

 among the savage tribes than the warning signal of the 

 drums. 



Another method of signalling among the savage tribes 

 by night is the building of fires at strategic points on the 

 hilltops that may be seen by some distant village and it in 

 turn will build another fire that may be seen by the next 

 village and this predetermined method of communication 

 may, and often does, extend over vast areas in a single 



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