341 
the sound and the idea, so that (6) the sound became the word 
for the idea or feeling. 
This theory assumes that language is founded on ejacula- 
tions, but they do not form a hundredth part of it ; and have 
always remained much as they are, comparatively infertile. 
Again, as Prof. Whitney observes, with his rough common 
sense : — 
“ Involuntary utterances did not need to be repeated by imi- 
tation before they could be associated with an idea of the feeling 
that led to them. Would not the most rudimentary man in 
posse , if he heard his fellow laugh or cry, understand what it 
meant, without having first himself to haw-haw or boo-hoo ? 
Do not even the animals thus ? When a gun goes off, all the 
shy birds near take to flight without waiting to say £ bang ’ to 
themselves. The imitative factor is an intrusion and may be 
left out of the account altogether.”* But, alas, if you take 
away this, what remains ? 
Again, this quasi-human being had some power unknown to 
parrot and monkey, or otherwise either he would have remained 
at their level, or they would have ascended. This occult x was 
a power of judgment and comparison, a power of reflection and 
introspection ; but such a power is not excited by the mere act 
of imitation, otherwise parrots would acquire it. “ Observe,” 
says M. Taine, “ the profound difference separating this acqui- 
sition [i.e., of speech by a child], and the parallel acquisition 
which a parrot might make. The infant invents and discovers 
incessantly. The names suggested to him are but starting- 
points for his innumerable efforts. A parrot does not apply the 
name which is taught him ; in a bird’s brain it remains isolated.” f 
Dr. Tylor gives the following illustrative instance from the 
Brazilian traveller, Eschwege : — 
“ I was occupied .... in making philosophical observations 
on a deaf-and-dumb idiot negro boy about thirteen years old, 
with water on the brain, and upon whom nothing made any im- 
pression except the crowing of a cock, whose voice he could 
imitate to the life. He lay most part of the day stark naked 
on the ground, and crowed as if for a wager against the cock.” J 
Mere animal imitation gets no further than this, and as the 
quasi-human being in question possessed this axpower, which 
was thus not dependent upon imitation, he must have possessed 
it prior to and independently of his imitation. But if he had 
this power prior to and independently of his imitative power, 
* Oriental and Linguistic Studies , 296. 
t On Intelligence, 402. X 
VOL. XV. 2 C 
Early Hist, of Mankind , 73. 
