136 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



articulating sounds which they vary into different 

 tones and manner of expression, and, like man, have 

 a silent way of communicating their ideas by 

 gestures, looks, and signs. They had a language 

 given them long before man was created, and the 

 chief addition which has been made to it is the 

 sound-signs used by man. Some animals are 

 capable of uttering a great number of specific 

 sounds, and yet we call them dumb simply because 

 we do not understand their language. Mocking- 

 birds, starlings, ravens, parrots, magpies, and some 

 other species, learn to talk, sing, whistle, and 

 imitate the various sounds they hear. They are 

 taught to converse in different languages, and 

 answer in the same language in which they are ad- 

 dressed. Dogs and monkeys may be taught to use 

 as many specific sounds and signs for specific 

 things as some of the lowest types of man, which 

 shows that they are capable of a progressive educa- 

 tion. Many animals have the power of reasoning 

 wonderfully developed. An elephant will break 

 off a branch of a tree, grasp it in his trunk and 

 drive off the flies. He will blow beyond an object 

 he cannot reach, and drive it towards him. When 

 sick, he will go alone to a surgeon for treatment. 



