On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
At an annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science held in at Boston, it was shown that, after all, there are no dumb beasts! Dr. Gibson read a very interesting paper on the language of animals. He said that every variety of animated being possesses some means of intelligible communication. Each creature by sounds or signs of correspondence has a language understood by its own kind, and sometimes learned by others. Emotions of caution, affection or fear —of joy, gratitude and grief—are disclosed by simple tones of voice, or by impressive gestures to signalize feelings strictly comprehended and often answered. Insects and birds, fish and beasts thus express themselves in distinct languages, signed, spoken and sung, seen, heard and felt. He illustrated his theory by stating familiar facts relative to domestic animals,
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
