The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-13
MUSIC IN IT'S INFANCY
Prehistoric instruments of Melody
in the National Museum.
Thrilling Notes Produced by nm Al
IiEntOr Made of CIay-Tuncs From
Pipes and FlngcO1ets Made by the
Ancient Aztec Races - WhistIing
Vases and Pelican Bone Flies.

many of which, however outre in ap-
and clear as they did thousand years OIL
| more ago. Nearly all of them are wind
instruments. and are similar to the
modern occarino and fageolet The
more perfect specimens as regards tone
| and workmanship come from Mexico and
Central and South America, and are made
for the most part of very fine pottery,
though some are fashioned from bones of
animals and birds. The collection is under
the supervision of Pror. Thomas Wilson
and Mr.. E. p. Upham. DIR. w. II. Holmes,
head curator of the National Museum, has
| furnished many valuable specimens and
| data Mr.. Upham, referring to interesting
| qualities Of the several instruments. said
| to a representative of The Times, taking
| up what might be described as a small
occarino fashioned in the shape OF bird,
and furnished with tapering mouthpiece,
This possesses four sound holes. and
yields five notes, the low tone being pro-
dueed with all the holes closed"
7 The instrument was in excellent condi-
ton, in proof whereof Mr.. Upham pro-
ceeded to play There's No Good Luck
About the House with beautifully tuneful
effect. 1t was remarkable that when
| blown without the fingers covering any
of the holes. the sound resembled closely
the clear and plaintive warblng OF a bird,
probably the same which the artistic
maker had endeavored to depict. Many of
the instruments are very gTotes1ue in
design, representing chiefly animals and
birds, but are, in some cases, of so COM
pick 4 shape as to astonish one accus-
toned to the cCnventionaiities of modern
art.
The majority possess either two three,
or five notes, although some are capable OF
wider range, and while the inference is that
the prehistoric musicians possessed a
musical scale radically different from our
own, all these instruments can be made,
by proper manipulation. to furnish notes
to their respective capacities in the cnro-
matte scale.
One of the richest and most melodious
tones was produced from very unattrac-
tive looking earthenware alligator, though
unfortunately the capacity of this musical
novelty, or rather antiquity was limited to
three notes. most piercing and pene-
trating Bound was produced from a tiny
whistle which could easily be held in the
palm of the hand and enclosed by the
grasp.
An Aztec FIngeOlct.
One OF the most extraordinary shapes
is that of fageolet from the Aztec ruins
OF Mexico. The religious symbols found
upon the ruins of Aztec temples are also
seen upon many of these Instruments
There are some of the fageolets which in
all probability date from historic times.
One from Mexico. carved in marble,
which has six holes. all those of prehis-
toric periods never being furnished with
more than four. is illustrative of this fact.
An instrument from Nicoya, Costa Rica,
is unique from the fact that while 1t con-
tains but four sound holes. seven notes can
be produced from it 1t is in the form of
grotcsque human head with painted deco
rations in brown and red on a yellow
ground. The mouthpiece is attached to
and forms part CT the headdress. Its ex-
ceptionally wide range is owing to the fact
that one Of the four holes is larger than
the others. the result being two additional
notes that would not be obtainable were all
the holes OF the same size. a unique speci-
men Is a whistling vase from Costa RIGA,
which was presented to Prof. Wilson by
Senior Rafael Iglesias. 1t is round bot
toned. with a handle on one side repre-
senting an animal head holding the edge
of the rim in its mouth. The rim and
lower half Of the vase is dark red in color
the space between being filled by broad
chevron band in brown and yellow. the
whole surface being highly polished. The
air passage is from the inside OF the ye.,-
sci. connecting with a vent hole on the
outside of the animals neck. To produce |
a sound or note the lips must be placed |
against the mouth OF the vessel in the
same manner as would be done on the |
large brass Instruments OF today. Its one |
note is exceedingly shrill and piercing
Another remarkable specimen Is a prim- |
tive lageolet. made from slender bone. |
probably from the wing of the brown peli- |
can. The natural cavity at one end of the !
bone is partly filled with wax or gum leav-
ing an air passage which connects with a |
vent hole. forming a mouthpiece. The 9TH
er end is open. On the upper surface are
FIVE small finger holes placed about I-16 of !
an inch apart.
Considerable attention has been given to
the musical possibilities of this instrument
because of its striking resemblance 10 the
bone whistles from ancient graves on the |
California coast and adjacent islands. 1t
has a natural scale of six notes, but, by
using greatly increased force and a diff
ferent system of lingering three addition
al forced" notes are possible. Other conf
binations can also be made, but these do
not include new notes. Contrary to all
The other instruments in the collection,
the lowest note Is not made with all the
sound holes closed an effect for which no
explanation has yet been offered.
A curious specimen is one which has gen.
orally been described as a trumpet of pot
.ery from British Guiana. Carl Engel
somewhat answering to its description. but
IF larger dimensions. Speaking of these,
ne says:
THE botuto which Gumilla saw used by
;ome tribes near the Ornoco. was evident
y an ancient Indian contrivance but APP
pears to have fallen almost into oblivion
turing the last two centuries. 1t was
made OF baked clay and was commonly
rom three to four feet long; but some
-rumpets of this kind were of enormous
size The botuto with two bellies was US
lally made thicker than that with three
bellies and emitted deeper sound which
S described as having been really terrific
These trumpets were used on occasions of
and funeral dances. Alexander
;on Humboldt saw the botuto AMONG
;ome Indian tribes near the River Orino-
%"
1t is supposed that the specimen In the
Is smaller edition of the gi-
santic botuto. A remarkable class of In
;truments are the double flutes Of bone
ised by the aboriginal inhabitants Of Bra
Ill. What makes them especially re-
is their resemblance to similar
pecimens in the collection from the Pa
life Coast, and, more wonderful still. to
ome in the museum at Athens Greece,
Used by the classical ancients The tones
Produced by these instruments are Singh
arly soft and mellow