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the artificial imitation of a natural process; it is a logical 
instrument, contrived for the purpose of demonstrating that 
which was not previously evident to the perception. It is a 
proof that man has the power of contemplating the operations 
of his own mind, a power which the brute does not possess, 
so far as is shown by any evidence to the contrary; and this 
self-consciousness is very different from the consciousness of 
physical individuality with which Mr. Pike endeavours to con- 
fuse it. To state the case in other words, the lightness of the 
nut conveys to the parrot the impression of worthlessness ; 
the necessary factors of the psychological operation which 
precede the rejection of the nut are nothing more than 
memory, which is an involuntary agent, and feeling or 
instinct. 
The same method of reasoning has been applied to the 
argument that language constitutes a fundamental distinction 
between man and brute. The objection may be stated thus : 
“Language indicates the possession of intelligence; brutes 
possess a rudimentary language, therefore they possess a 
rudimentary intelligence.” In extending the signification of 
the term language so as to make it comprehend the cries, &c. of 
brutes, it is evident that we deprive it of its distinctive character 
as an exponent of thought. It is admitted that this “rudi- 
mentary language ” is limited to the expression of feeling. 
But until it is shown that feeling can be developed into 
thought, it is idle to argue that the vocal expression of feeling 
can be developed into the vocal expression of thought. 
Language, in the proper sense of the word, is not neces- 
sarily articulate, as we know from the case of deaf mutes ; 
but whether oral, or written, or expressed by means of the 
finger alphabet, it is always the vehicle of thought, never of 
feeling. For if we eliminate the physical element, the psy- 
chical phenomena of language remain unaltered, and to make 
the organic production of sound a common psychological 
basis is illogical in the extreme. If any doubt remained on 
this point, it might be set at rest by an impartial comparison 
of the nature of the vocal expression of thought and feeling 
as characteristic of the human psychology. Let us suppose a 
man undergoing a painful surgical operation. He experiences 
a strong tendency to cry out. He has no object in doing so ; 
in fact he would avoid it if he could ; and it is not until the 
instinctive tendency has overpowered the opposition of his 
will that he utters an exclamation of pain. Even then his will 
does not always yield entirely, and he endeavours to clothe 
the expressions of pain in articulate language ; but if the pain 
is intensified until the resistance offered by the will is entirely 
