THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE 201 



band for any special service. Everyone has ob- 

 served ants stop when they meet one another and 

 exchange a rapid greeting by means of their 

 waving antennae, and it is possibly through these 

 perplexing organs that definite intercourse between 

 one creature and another first entered the world. 

 The exact nature of the antenna-language is not 

 yet fathomed, but the perfection to which it is 

 carried proves that the idea of language generally 

 has existed in nature from the earliest time. 

 Among higher animals various outward expres- 

 sions of emotions are made, and 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 de- 

 mand or supplication, as when wishing for a door 

 or window to be opened."^ 



^ Dai win, Descent of Man, p. 84. 



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