Chap. XIV. AND SUMMARY. 357 



controverted by M. Lemoine. 2 Monkeys soon learn to 

 distinguish, not only the tones of voice of their masters, 

 but the expression of their faces, as is asserted by a care- 

 ful observer. 3 Dogs well know the difference between 

 caressing and threatening gestures or tones; and they 

 seem to recognize a compassionate tone. But as far as 

 I can make out, after repeated trials, they do not under- 

 stand any movement confined to the features, excepting 

 a smile or laugh; and this they appear, at least in some 

 cases, to recognize. This limited amount of knowledge 

 has probably been gained, both by monkeys and dogs, 

 through their associating harsh or kind treatment with 

 our actions; and the knowledge certainly is not in- 

 stinctive. Children, no doubt, would soon learn the 

 movements of expression in their elders in the same man- 

 ner as animals learn those of man. Moreover, when a 

 child cries or laughs, he knows in a general manner 

 what he is doing and what he feels; so that a very small 

 exertion of reason would tell him what crying or laugh- 

 ing meant in others. But the question is, do our children 

 acquire their knowledge of expression solely by experi- 

 ence through the power of association and reason ? 



As most of the movements of expression must have 

 been gradually acquired, afterwards becoming instinc- 

 tive, there seems to be some degree of a priori probabil- 

 ity that their recognition would likewise have become 

 instinctive. There is, at least, no greater difficulty in 

 believing this than in admitting that, when a female 

 quadruped first bears young, she knows the cry of dis- 

 tress of her offspring, or than*in admitting that many 

 animals instinctively recognize and fear their enemies; 

 and of both these statements there can be no reason- 



2 ' La Physionomie et la Parole,' 1865, pp. 103, 118. 



3 Ptonjre-er, ' Xaturg-eschichte der Suugethiere von Para- 

 guay,' 1830, s. 55. 



