This page has been validated.
326
NOTES.
[BK. III.
and speech, it may be said to constitute one of the distinguishing features of humanity. As no creature, however, is without a tongue, it can scarcely be supposed to be wanting, and yet, as it would not seem to be so essential as some other parts, life might, perhaps, for a time, be maintained without it. But speech is, of course, nowise necessary to life, as the learned commentator observes: "Nam etiam linguæ sermone, si vitam, detractis ornamentis, ad necessitatis angustias redigere velis, vitæ conservatio carere potest."
