Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 38.djvu/16

6 to charm the female; though, there is no evidence forthcoming that this is the case. When we remember that in the forms nearest to the human—the chimpanzees and the gorilla—there is nothing which approaches even thus far toward musical utterance, we see that the hypothesis has next to none of that support which ought to be forthcoming. Indeed in his Descent of Man, vol. ii, p. 332, Mr. Darwin himself says:—"It is a surprising fact that we have not as yet any good evidence that these organs are used by male mammals to charm the female:" an admission which amounts to something like a surrender.

Even more marked is the absence of proof when we come to the human race itself—or rather, not absence of proof but presence of disproof. Here, from the Descriptive Sociology, where the authorities will be found under the respective heads, I quote a number of testimonies of travelers concerning primitive music; commencing with those referring to the lowest race.

"The songs of the natives [of Australia]... are chiefly made on the spur of the moment, and refer to something that has struck the attention at the time." "The Watchandies seeing me much interested in the genus Eucalyptus soon composed a song on this subject." The Fuegians are fond of music and generally sing in their boats, doubtless keeping time, as many primitive peoples do. "The principal subject of the songs of the Araucanians is the exploits of their heroes:" when at work their "song was simple, referring mostly to their labor," and was the same "for every occasion, whether the burden of the song be joy or sorrow." The Greenlanders sing of "their exploits in the chase" and "chant the deeds of their ancestors." The Indians of the Upper Mississippi vocalize an incident, as—'They have brought us a fat dog':" then the chorus goes on for a minute. Of other North-American Indians we read—"the air which the women sang was pleasing... the men first gave out the words, which formed a consummate glorification of themselves." Among the Carriers (of North America) there are professed composers, who "turn their talent to good account on the occasion of a feast, when new airs are in great request." Of the New Zealanders we read:—"The singing of such compositions [laments] resembles cathedral chanting." "Passing events are described by extemporaneous songs, which are preserved when good." "When men worked together appropriate airs were sung." When presenting a meal to travelers, women would chant "What shall be our food? shell fish and fern-root, that is the root of the earth." Among the Sandwich Islanders "most of the traditions of remarkable events in their history are preserved in songs." When taught reading they could not "recite a lesson without chanting or singing it." Cook found the Tahitians had itinerant musicians who gave narrative chants quite