164 THE SPEECH OF MONKEYS. 



chief means of developing human speech, and 

 we find a true index to its condition in the social 

 status of the different races of mankind, and by 

 coming closer home we find that even in differ- 

 ent communities of the same race, and within 

 the limits of the same nation, a difference in 

 the accuracy and volume of speech, which is 

 measured by the difference of social culture. 

 We find in rural districts sparsely peopled and 

 remote from the great centres of population that 

 speech is less polished, and the number of words 

 used greatly reduced in comparison to the same 

 language used in the great cities and more pop- 

 ulous communities, where, by reason of contact 

 with each other and the constant use of speech, 

 the vocal powers are much more developed and 

 the command of language very much improved. 

 This same law of development inversely applied 

 would lead us in a direct line down through nat- 

 ure, rank by rank, and we would find it a reli- 

 able unit of measure throughout the whole per- 

 spective of development. The faculties of music, 

 taste, and reason are measured by a like unit. It 

 is difficult to trace the musical powers of animals, 

 since music does not contribute to the comfort or 

 development of types, and only affords pleasure 



