158 THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE. 



these become of service in time for the conveyance of 

 information to others. The howl of the dog, the 

 neigh of the horse, the bleat of the lamb, the stamp 

 of the goat, and other signs are all readily understood 

 by other animals. One monkey utters at least six 

 different sounds to express its feelings ; and Mr. 

 Darwin has detected four or five modulations in the 

 bark of the dog : " the bark of eagerness, as in the 

 chase ; that of anger as well as growling ; the yelp or 

 howl of despair when shut up ; the baying at night ; 

 the bark of joy when starting on a walk with his 

 master ; and the very distinct one of demand or sup- 

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

 opened."' a 



Now these signs are as much language as spoken 

 words. You have only to evolve this to get all the 

 language the dictionary-maker requires. Any method 

 of communication, as already said, is Language, and 

 to understand Language we must fix in our minds the 

 idea that it has no necessary connection with actual 

 words. In the simple instances just given there are 

 illustrations of at least three kinds of Language. 

 When a deer throws up its head suddenly, all the 

 other deer throw up their heads. That is a sign. It 

 means " listen." If the first deer sees the object, 

 which has called its attention, to be suspicious, it 

 utters a low note. That is a word. It means " cau- 

 tion." If next it sees the object to be not only sus- 

 picious but dangerous, it makes a further use of 

 Language — intonation. Instead of the low note 

 " listen," it utters a sharp loud cry that means 

 "Run for your life." Hence these three kinds of 

 1 Darwin, Descent of Man, p. 84. 



