Section II, 1891. [ 77 ] Trans. Eoy. Soc. Canada. 



IV. — Language as a Test of Mental Capacity. 

 By HoKATio Hale, M.A. 



(KeadMay 26, 1S91.) 



As mau is beyond question the highest being in animated nature, it might reason- 

 ably be supposed that anthropology, " the science of man," would rank highest among 

 the natural sciences. Not only, however, has that prerogative not been conceded to this 

 science, but the curious fact must be recorded that only within the last decade has even 

 an equality with the other sciences been at last, very slowly and grudgingly, allowed to 

 it.' This recent acknowledgment has been mainly due to two scientific developments, as 

 they may be styled, both of the first importance. The earliest of these was the establish- 

 ment of the fact, ascertained through the researches of Boucher de Perthes and his 

 followers, of the great and hitherto unsuspected antiquity of man upon the earth. The 

 other was the acceptance by the large majority of naturalists of the doctrine of evolution, 

 as applicable to the human species, along with all other parts of the creation. 



The reason why scientific men in general have hesitated so long, and still hesitate, 

 to accord to anthropology its true position among the sciences, is one which must be said 

 to do them no discredit. They have had what must be deemed a natural and reasonable 

 feeling that this branch of science, as commonly studied, has no title to the special rank 

 claimed for it. If man is merely an animal, and is not separated from other animals by a 

 line as distinct as that which separates a tree from a stone, or a stone from a star, why 

 should he claim a whole main department of science to himself, and not be content with 

 his modest " subsection " along with the birds, the insects, the vegetables, and the other 

 members of the great biological section i It must be admitted that the chief authorities 

 in this science during the last thirty years, whether evolutionists or opponents of evolu- 

 tion, have offered no satisfactory reply to this objection. The reason of their failure is 

 evident enough. With very few exceptions these eminent men have deliberately put 

 aside the teachings of comparative philology on this subject, and have had recourse solely 

 to evidences drawn from physiology. Yet it is certain that the grand charaottristic 

 which distinguishes man from all other mundane beings is articulate speech. It is 

 language alone which entitles anthropology to its claim to be deemed a distinct depart- 

 ment of science. Until this truth is clearly understood, scientific men in general will 



' It was not until the year 1 882 that in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, at its thirty- 

 first annual meeting, anthropology was raised from the humble position of a "subsection," or mere department of 

 another science, to the rank of a full " section." Two years later, a similar advance in dignity was accorded to the 

 science in the British Association, at its tifty-third meeting. By a rather singular coincidence both meetings took 

 place in Jlonlreal, and the writer had the fortune of being present on both occasions and taking some part in these 

 tardy honours paid to a science to which he had made his first published contribution, in a very humble fashion, 

 while an undergraduate, nearly fifty years before. 



