LANGUAGE IX OTHER ANIMALS. 293 



the instant development of another, each having its suitable 

 and intelligible mode of outward manifestation. 



9. New expressions or modes thereof arise under new 

 conditions or circumstances. 



It is desirable to illustrate certain of these propositions 

 in order to show the nature of the difficulties that will con- 

 stantly occur to the student in the interpretation of animal 

 language. 



There are, in the first place, then, certain peculiarities 

 in the mode of expressing the same feelings, wants, ideas, 

 in different animals. In other words, there is a difference in 

 the mode of expression for instance, of an emotion accord- 

 ing to the kind of animal ; there is a natural aptitude for a 

 particular mode of expression in each species and genus ; 

 there is even, in a sense, a different language for each great 

 group of animals (Houzeau). 



Thus, while the dog barks, bites, growls, howls, whines, 

 sniffs, and snarls, the horse neighs, kicks, stamps, paws, 

 snorts, champs, and lashes its tail; the cat purrs, scratches, 

 hisses, mews ; cattle low, butt, gore, bellow ; the elephant 

 trumpets, roars, screams; the sheep and goat bleat; the 

 ass brays ; the cock crows, and the hen clucks and cackles. 



Not only, however, are there different forms of language 

 in different genera and species of animals, but different 

 dialects in the same family. Thus we are told that each 

 caste or clan of ants has its own language (Houzeau) . 



But, as a per contra to these peculiarities of species or 

 genera, the same physical expression is frequently common to 

 many species or genera, though it may not necessarily or 

 always have the same significance. For instance, biting, or 

 what is equivalent thereto snapping with beak or bill 

 is common to the dog, horse, ass, wolf, and many birds ; 

 howling is common to the dog and certain monkeys ; kick- 

 ing to the horse, with many other animals ; tail-lashing to 

 the horse, mule, ass, and lion ; butting to sheep and goats, 

 with the ox ; baying to the dog and wolf. 



Expression may be given to a great variety of feelings or 

 ideas by the same physical phenomenon. In other words, the 

 same action or kind of action may result from very different 



