An attempt is made to identify the instinctual dispositions conveyed by sounds. In some cases—such as the sweet sound of 'l' in lait, for example—the author has discovered not only that the sound stimulates thoughts of a particular activity (drinking), but also that the oral activity of making the sound has as its prototype a related act (sucking). He finds that the vowels formed anteriorly in the mouth are judged more clear than those formed posteriorly, the latter being associated with vulgarity. Using similar analytic devices, he discusses open, hard, and erectile sounds.