42 



ON THE ANATOMY OF THE 



The thyroid gland is somewhat peculiar in its 

 form. It lies like a small leech along each side of 

 the thyroid, cricoid, and four first rings of the tra- 

 chea ; and the two portions communicate anteriorly 

 by a delicate film of glandular substance, which 

 crosses the upper rings of the trachea, obliquely from 

 left to right. The trachea is like the human 

 windpipe. 



On reviewing the structure of the organs of 

 respiration, of the tongue and larynx, there does 

 not appear any reason why the Orang Outang 

 should not speak. The organization, as far as 

 we can judge, seems perfect ; yet this animal, ac- 

 cording to the best evidence, has never been known 

 to make any attempt at articulate sounds. Indeed, 

 in this respect it seems inferior to several other ani- 

 mals, which have been taught to imitate and repeat 

 words or sentences. If animal organization were 

 alone necessary to speech, the Orang Outang, from 

 its striking approach to man, ought to possess this 

 faculty in an eminent degree. We must, therefore, 

 refer its deficiency in this respect, not to corporeal, 

 but to mental peculiarities. It would be, perhaps, 

 extremely difficult to point out the exact boundary 

 between human intellect, and the faculties of the 

 lower animals ; but one grand distinction peculiar 

 to the human species, is the possession of that intel- 

 lectual power, by metaphysicians denominated ab- 

 straction. As the expression of ideas by arbitrary 

 sounds, implies the exercise of this faculty, which 



