MENTAL POWERS OF MAN AND LOWER ANIMALS. 185 

 THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE. 



This faculty (language) has justly been 

 considered as one of the chief distinctions be- 

 tween man and the lower animals. But man, as a highly 

 competent judge, Archbishop Whately, remarks, "is not 

 the only animal that can make use of language to express 

 what is passing in his mind, and can understand, more 

 or less, what is so expressed by another." In Paraguay 

 the Cebus azarm when excited utters at least six distinct 

 sounds, which excite in other monkeys similar emotions. 

 The moTements of the features and gestures of monkeys 

 are understood by us, and they partly understand ours, 

 as Rengger and others declare. It is a more remarkable 

 fact that the dog, since being domesticated, has learned 

 to bark in at least four or five distinct tones. Although 

 barking is a new art, no doubt the wild parent-species of 

 the dog expressed their feelings by cries of various kinds. 

 With the domesticated dog we have the bark of eager- 

 ness, as in the chase ; that of anger, as well as growling ; 

 the yelp or howl of despair, as when shut up ; the baying 

 at night ; the bark of joy, as when starting on a walk 

 with his master ; and the very distinct one of demand or 

 supplication, as when wishing for a door or window to be 

 opened. According to Houzeau, who paid particular at- 

 tention to the subject, the domestic fowl utters at least a 

 dozen significant sounds. 



The habitual use of articulate language is, however, 

 peculiar to man ; but he uses, in common with the lower 

 animals, inarticulate cries to express his meaning, aided 

 by gestures and the movements of the muscles of the 

 face. This especially holds good with the more simple 

 and vivid feelings, which are but little connected with 

 our higher intelligence. Our cries of pain, fear, surprise, 



