Chap. IV. MEANS OF EXPRESSION IK ANIMALS. 83 



CHAPTER IV. 

 Means of Expression in Animals. 



The emission of sounds — Vocal sounds — Sounds otherwise 

 produced — Erection of the dermal appendages, hairs, 

 feathers, &c, under the emotions of anger and terror 

 — The drawing - back of the ears as a preparation for 

 fighting, and as an expression of anger — Erection of 

 the ears and raising the head, a sign of attention. 



In this and the following chapter I will describe, but 

 only in sufficient detail to illustrate my subject, the ex- 

 pressive movements, under different states of the mind, 

 of some few well-known animals. But before consider- 

 ing them in due succession, it will save much useless 

 repetition to discuss certain means of expression common 

 to most of them. 



Tlie emission of Sounds. — With many kinds of ani- 

 mals, man included, the vocal organs are efficient in the 

 highest degree as a means of expression. We have seen, 

 in the last chapter, that when the sensorium is strongly 

 excited, the muscles of the body are generally thrown 

 into violent action; and as a consequence, loud sounds 

 are uttered, however silent the animal may generally 

 be, and although the sounds may be of no use. Hares 

 and rabbits for instance, never, I believe, use their vocal 

 organs except in the extremity of suffering; as, when 

 a wounded hare is killed by the sportsman, or when a 

 young rabbit is caught by a stoat. Cattle and horses 



