re the immediate
language of anger in all animals; and a preparation for these actions is
the natural language of threatening. Hence the human creature clenches his
fist, and sternly surveys his adversary, as if meditating where to make the
attack; the ram, and the bull, draws himself some steps backwards, and
levels his horns; and the horse, as he most frequently fights by striking
with his hinder feet, turns his heels to his foe, and bends back his ears,
to listen out the place of his adversary, that the threatened blow may not
be ineffectual.

6. _Of Attention._

The eye takes in at once but half our horizon, and that only in the day,
and our smell informs us of no very distant objects, hence we confide
principally in the organ of hearing to apprize us of danger: when we hear
any the smallest sound, that we cannot immediately account for, our fears
are alarmed, we suspend our steps, hold every muscle still, open our mouths
a little, erect our ears, and listen to gain further information: and this
by habit becomes the general language of attention to objects of sight, as
well as of hearing; and even to the successive trains of our ideas.

The natural language of violent pain, which is expressed by writhing the
body, grinning, and screaming; and that of tumultuous pleasure, expressed
in loud laughter; belong to Section XXXIV. on Diseases from Volition.

IX. It must have already appeared to the reader, that all other animals, as
well as man, are possessed of this natural language of the passions,
expressed in signs or tones; and we shall endeavour to evince, that those
animals, which have preserved themselves from being enslaved by mankind,
and are associated in flocks, are also possessed of some artificial
language, and of some traditional knowledge.

The mother-turkey, when she eyes a kite hovering high in air, has either
seen her own parents thrown into fear at his presence, or has by
observation been acquainted with his dangerous designs upon her young. She
becomes agitated with fear, and uses the natural language of that passion,
her young ones catch the fear by imitation, and in an instant conceal
themselves in the grass.

At the same time that she shews her fears by her gesture and deportment,
she uses a certain exclamation, Koe-ut, Koe-ut, and the young ones
afterwards know, when they hear this note, though they do not see their
dam, that the presence of their adversary is denounced, and hide themselves
as