The Descent of Man

partly on the disposition of the mind; and
handwriting is certainly inherited. (61. 'The
Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication,'
vol. ii. p. 6.'
Several writers, more especially Prof. Max Muller
(62. Lectures on 'Mr. Darwin's Philosophy of
Language,' 1873.), have lately insisted that the
use of language implies the power of forming
general concepts; and that as no animals are
supposed to possess this power, an impassable
barrier is formed between them and man. (63.
The judgment of a distinguished philologist,
such as Prof. Whitney, will have far more
weight on this point than anything that I can
say. He remarks ('Oriental and Linguistic Studies,'
1873, p. 297), in speaking of Bleek's views:
"Because on the grand scale language is the
necessary auxiliary of thought, indispensable to
the development of the power of thinking, to
the distinctness and variety and complexity of
cognitions to the full mastery of consciousness;