Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-07
NATURES MUSIC.
1t Gave the Idea for Nearly All the Instru-
ments Now Used.

1t Gave the Idea for Nearly All the Instru-
ments Now Used.
From Frank Leslie's Populsr Monthly.
While examining a limb taken from Q pine
tree few days ago 1 found in 1t the bu-row
Of the carpenter bee. After cutting off the
ends it proved to be quite a perfect flute. A
distinct sound could be produced upon it. and
no doubt a tune could be played upon it we're
holes made in it corresponding to those Of the
flute. Here we find the first inventor Of tho
flute principle.
1t is said that in some forests the holes are
SO abundant in the reeds that the wind, as it
passes through these thickets, makes a very
loud whisting sound Then the cricket is our
primitive violin. On the under side of the
wing-covers, or "elytra," as they are scientific
ally called, there are nOtched ridges which,
when examined with a moderate power of the
microscope. have something the appearance of
he-teeth. The friction OF these notches, as
they are rubbed together, produces the nusi-
cal sound that We hear in our fields and houses
and which is exactly analogous to the friction
OF the bow on the string Of the violin. This is
probably one of the most ingenious modes of
causing musical vibrations.
The cicada represents the vibrator, or what
is sometimes called the reed. II is introduced
into various musical instruments. as for ex-
ample the harmonica, clarionet oboe, bassoon
anu various organ pipes.
The simplest form Of vibrator is, perhaps,
the Jewsharp. or more properly the jawsharp,
because the instrument is held against
the teeth, while its tongue is vibrated by
strokes of the finger. The vocal organs of
the male c!cada are constructed on the
same principle. II one Of these insects
be examined, there may be seen on the
lower surface two curious and nearly circular
flaps, just at the junction of the thorax with
the abdomen. 1t is by the action Of these two
little vlbrators that tine cicada is able to pro-
duce the sound which, in calm weather, may
be heard at the distance of a mile
Perhaps the earliest music as regards man
lies IN certain savage races who, as long as they
maintain rhythmical beat on any substance.
do not care what it is. Among the rudest mu-
steal instruments are hollow logs. but "A great
advance is made when a piece of skin is
stretched over the cavity and beaten, instead
1t is said that some tribes in West Africa
make drums OF SO much power that their suilen
roar can be heard for miles away as their slow,
triple beat summons the tribe to arms Our
most perfect instruments in this line are the
bass and kettle drums. They seem to be easy
to play upon, but one can find out his mistake
by trying one. Natures model is the interior
OF the ear, the drum or tympanum, the yibra-
tons of which enable us to hear.
In vibrations of strings, the first instruments
were the vines and runners Of the forest and
these were played upon as the hurricane swept
through them. The Eolisn harp is one of the
first examples Of this. With this instrument
no fingers are needed to touch the strings. but
the current of air sets them vibrating in the
most wonderful manner and they automatic
ally divide themselves into the component
parts Of the common chord and produce oc-
taves, fifths and thirds ad infnitum.
Strips of fiber torn from tree OF plant often
vibrate in the wind force and give forth bass
like notes in the forest
In the instance of the swan we have a most
remarkable example of the trombone. This
instrument, as we all know has the advantage
OF being heightened at will, thus giving the
performer a fresh tonic, and consequently an
other series of harmonics. Waived and KEYED
instruments have q similar advantage the
one acting BY lengthening, the other
by shortening the air. In the brass instrume mt,
furnished with a mouthpiece and not with a
reed, the notes are obtained by vibrations of
the lnclosed air, caused by the movements of
the lips, which set the current of air vibrating
and divide it into harmonics.
The hum Of the gnat or the buzz of the bee.
sounds familiar to us. are all natures music
and the air is filled with these musicians. which
cons OF ages ago made melodious the primitive
earth.
very curious instrument has been invented
by which we are enabled to measure. by the
sound, the rapidity with which a flying insect
moves Its wings. This instrument is called the
siren, and enables us to measure the yibra-
tons OF sound as accurately as the barometer
measures the weight of the atmosphere
1t will be seen from the examples above
given that nature was before US in musical
methods.