The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-09-27
ANIMAL SPEECH.

In comparison with the human voice
that of animals seems poor indeed.
The barking of the dog, the mewing
OF the cat. the bleating of the sheep,
cannot be called language, yet the
,arynx of these creatures is on the
same plan as that of man. Among
monkeys the resemblance is perfect.
TO all appearance the impossibility of
speaking is due to the formation of
the lips and tongue. In Ills Leibniiz
announced to the French Academy
that he had met with a PEASANTS dog
that could repeat thirty words after
ty, we must always say, when we
most admire the intelligence of the
faithful companion, "ie only wants
words" So well endowed with MEM
ory, affection and intelligence, he can
only express his joy by sharp, short
expirations of air through the glottis.
HOwiing is a prolonged note in the
pharynx, excited by deep grief or pain.
Yet they i'm common with other ami
mails can communicate with each other
in q marvellous manner when they
dead bullock was lying in a waste
far from all habitations, when a soli-
tary dog, attracted by the smell, came
and fed upon it; Immediately he
called together his acquaintances. In
less than an hour the bones were
picked clean by the troop. f
Opportunities for studying the Ian
guage of wild animals are rare; they
fly from man, and when in captivity
they become nearly silent, only utter
ing few cries or murmurs. Travel
ers have sometimes been able to watch
the graceful movements of the smaller
African apes. Living in the branches
of the trees, they descend with great
prudence. An old male who is chief
climbs to the top and looks all around
if satisfied he utters gutteral sounds
to tranquilize his band but if he per-
cciyes danger, there is special cry,
an advertisement which does not de-
ceive, and Immediately they all dis
perse. On one occasion a naturalist
solitary monkey as he dis
fruit. Without returning he uttered
short cries ;his companions understood
The signal and in a moment they were
collected under the tree, only too hap
Dy to share its beautiful fruit. Some
Sinds possess curious appendage, a
,ort of aerial ponch, which opens into
he interior of the larynx and makes a
sound. These bowling
lpes, also called stentOrs, inhabit the
leepest forests of the new world. and
heircries may be heard at the distance
If from one to two miles. ~
The greater number of small birds |
ave cries of joy or fear, appeals for |
lelp, cries of war. All these explo-
ions of voice borrow the sounds o.
'owels and consonants, and show how
asy and natural is articulation among
hem. Those species which are dis
inguished as song birds haye Il com
'licated vocal apparatus. For quality
f tone, power. brilliaucy and sweet
ess, the nightingale stands unrivaled,
ct It does not acquire this talent
Without long practice, the young ones
eing generally mediocre. The par
OTIS, which live in large numbers un-
er the brightest suns. haye a love for
which captivity does not
essen. Attentiye TO every voice and
oise, they initiate them with extra
facility; aud the phcnome-
on of their articulating words is still
Itis supposed that there
) q peculiar activity OF the upper lar
nx. AS rule, they attach no mean
ng to what they say but there are ex-
options. When very intelligent and
yell instructed, the birds can give
uitable answer TO certain questions.