THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, AND ANNALS OF ASTRONOMY, BIOLOGY, GEOLOGY, INDUSTRIAL ARTS, (MONTHLY, FORMERLY "THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE.") 3, HORSE-SHOE COURT, LUDGATE HILL. MDCCCLXXXIII. THE JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. JANUARY, 1883. T I. SPEECH IN ANIMALS. HE languages in which animals converse more or less definitely with other individuals of their own, or of nearly allied, species, were discussed in the "Journal of Science" some years ago (1875, p. 68). The conclusion reached was unfavourable to the common egoïstic notion that speech is the exclusive prerogative of man. That conclusion we are still free to uphold. We regret however that, so far as we are aware, no one has undertaken a formal study of these animal tongues, so as to converse with any of our "poor relations" in their own language. Commending this subject to the attention of such persons as have the needful time and the opportunities at their command, we wish now to examine the attempts of certain of the lower animals to acquire human speech. It seems at first sight curious that these attempts have been made with the greatest success, not by the mammalian groups which rank physiologically and psychologically nearest to us,-such as the apes and the Carnivora,-but by certain birds. But we must remember that a number of attributes must coexist in any animal before it can be capable of speech. In the first place, its vocal organs-especially the tongue, the glottis, and the pharynx-must be constructed in a manner equivalent to, if not identical with, the same parts in man. Secondly, there must be a sufficient degree of general intelligence. The animal must be capable of remembering sounds, of perceiving the differences between them, and of connecting them with objects, events, wants, &c. In addition there must be an especial development of VOL. V. (THIRD SERIES.) 224173 B |