my success will meet my highest wishes when I am placed
in touch with such subjects as I expect to find in the forests of
Tropical Africa.

Only a few of my experiments are recorded in this volume, but as they
illustrate my methods and set forth the results, they will serve to
show, in a measure, the scope of my work.

In the latter part of this work will be found a definition of the word
Speech as I have used it, and the deductions which I have made from my
experiments. I have not ventured into any extreme theories, either to
confirm or controvert the opinions of others, but simply commit to the
world these initial facts, and the working hypotheses upon which I have
proceeded to obtain them.

In Chapter XXI. I have mentioned the particular characteristics which
mark the sound of monkeys as speech, and distinguish them from mere
automatic sounds.

With all the gravity of sincere conviction I commit this volume to the
friends of Science as the first contribution upon this subject.

R. L. GARNER.

NEW YORK, _June 1, 1892_.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. PAGE

Early Impressions--First Observations of Monkeys--First Efforts
to Learn their Speech--Barriers--The Phonograph Used--A Visit to
Jokes--My Efforts to Speak to Him--The Sound of Alarm Inspires
Terror
1

CHAPTER II.

The Reconciliation--The Acquaintance of Jennie--The
Salutation--The Words for Food and Drink--Little Banquo, Dago,
McGinty, and others
14

CHAPTER III.

Monkeys have favourite Colours--Can distinguish Numbers and
Quantity--Music and Art very limited
24

CHAPTER IV.

Pedro's Speech Recorded--Delivered to Puck through the
Phonograph--Little Darwin learns a new Word
34

CHAPTER V.

Five little Brown Cousins: Mickie, Nemo, Dodo, Nigger, and
McGinty--Nemo apologises to Dodo
47

CHAPTER VI.

Dago Talks about the Weather--Tells me of his Troubles--Dodo in
the "Balcony Scene"--Her Portrait by a great Artist