The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-05-27
ODD MUSICAL INSTRUMENTs.
Used by Native Americans In Prehistoric ans
Later Times.
From the 81. LOuis Republic

-" ~ " b"'s hfpuJl"s
WASH NGToN. May l3.-Among the many
odd and crotesQue-looking objects in the Ma.
tional Museum. relics of a mysterious people
who once fourished on this continents Is a unique
collection OF musical instruments many Of which,
however crude In appearance, give forth tones
ms sweet and clear as they did a thousand years
ago. Nearly all of them are wind instruments,
and are similar TO the modern ocarina and
fageolet. The more perfect specimens, az
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 ~
animals and birds. The collection IL under
the supervision Of Prof. Wilson and F. p.
Ipham. Or. W, II. Holmes. head curator
Of the National Museum, has furnished many
valuable specimens and data: Mr.. Ipham.
referring 10 interesting qualities Of the sew
oral Instruments, said, taking up what might
he described as a small o~ccarino, fashioned
in the shape Of a bird and furnished with 8
taperlnR mouthpiece.
This possesses four sound holes and Yields
n ny me notes hso the low tone being produced with
The instrument was in excellent condition.
IN proof OF which Mr.. Tpham proceeded 10 play
There's No, Good. Lnck About the House,
with beautiful. tnneful effect. II vas remarkable
mat when blown without the fingers cover.
ing the holes the sound resenbled closely tho
clear and plaintive warbling of a bird, probably
ne same which the artistic maker had en-.
Many Of the instruments are grote.aue ID
design. representing chiefly animals and BIRDS
but are, IN some cases. Of so complex a shape
either two, three or five notes. although soma
are capable, Of wider range, and while the M
ference Is that the prehistoric musicians posS
scssed a musical scale radically different FROM
our own. all those instruments can be made bv
proper manipulation to furnish notes 10 the,r
respective capacities In the chromatic scala.
Onp OF the richest and most malodioue frpe1
was produced from. a very unattractive-lookI
ing earthenware alligator, although n%nfoItuA
or rather antiquity. was limited 10 three notes.
A most piercing and penetrating sound ws4
produced from a, tiny, whistle. which could
easily, be held in the palm Of the hand and in.
closed by the grasp.
One Of the most extraordinary shapes Is that
Of a fageolet from the, Aztec ruins Of Mexico,
Aztec temples are also seen upon many NJ these
instruments There are some of the haaeolets
One, from Mexico carved in marble. which has
six holes, all those Of prehistoric periods never
being FURNISHED with NOR" than four, ia illus
One instrument from Nicoya, Costa RIGA, il
unique from the fact that while II contains but
four sound holes, seven notes can be produced
from IL u Is IN the form Of a grotesoue human
head, with painted decorations in brown and
red on q yellow ground The mouthpiece is at
tached TO and forms part Of the head dress Its
exceptionally wide range Is owing 10 the fact
that one of the four holes ia larger than the
others, the result being two additional notes.
that would not be ohtainahle were all tho holes
Of the same size
\ unique specimen is a whistlins vase from
Costa Rlca which was presented 10 Prof. Will
son by Senior Rafael Iglesias. II is round-bot-
toned, with a handle on one side representing
an animal head holding the edge Of tho rim in "a
mouth The rim and lower half Of the vase are
dark red the space between being filed by a
broad cheyron band IN brown and yellow, tho
whole surface being highly polished The air
passages from the inside Of the vessel connect
with a vent hole Oh the outside of the animals
neck 10. produce a sound or note. the lips
must be placed against the mouth Of the vessel
IN the same manner as would b. done on tho
large brass instruments Of to-day Its ons
note is exceedingly shrlll and riercins
Another remarkable specimen is 4 primitive
~fageolet made from q slender bone. probably
from the wing OF the brown pelican This
natural cavity AZ one end oG the h,,ne is partly
filled. with wax or gum. leaving an air passage
which connects with a vent hole. FORMING a
mouthpiecee, The other end il open. On Ina
upper surface are Ave small finger holes. placed
about seven-sixteenth of an inch apart.