844 



OF THE VOICE AND SPEECH. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



OF THE VOICE AND SPEECH. 



1. Of the Larynx and its Actions. 



691. THE sounds produced by the organ of Voice constitute the most im- 

 portant means of communication between Man and his fellows; and the 

 power of Speech has, therefore, a primary influence, as well on his physical 

 condition, as on the development of his mental faculties. It is necessary to 

 bear in mind that Vocal sounds, and Speech or articulate Language, are 

 two things entirely different; and that the former may be produced in great 

 perfection, where there is no capability for the latter. Hence, we might at 

 once infer that the instrument for the production of vocal sounds is distinct 

 from that by which these sounds are modified into articulate speech ; and 

 this we easily discover to be the case, the voice being unquestionably pro- 

 duced in the larynx, whilst the modifications of it by which language is 



FIG. 297. 



Median Section of Mouth, Nosr>, I'harynx. and I/irynx: , septum of nose ; lielow it, section of hnrd 

 palate; b, tongue; c, section of velum pendulum paint i; il, </, lips; ., uvula; r, anterior arch or pillar 

 of fauces; i, posterior arch ; t, tonsil; p, pharynx ; Ajhyoidbone; A, thryoid cartilage ; n, ciicoid carti- 

 lage; s, epiglottis; t>, glottis; 1, posterior opening of narea ; 3, isthmus faucium ; 4, superior opeuing of 

 larynx; 5, passage into oesophagus; 6, mouth of right Eustachiaii tulie. 



formed, are effected for the most part in the oral cavity. The structure and 

 functions of the former, then, first claim our attention. It will be remem- 

 bered that the Trachea is surmounted by a stout cartilaginous annul us, 

 termed the Cricold cartilage (Figs. 298, 299, A u, Fig. 300, r u x w} ; which 



tervals between each tone;. The compass of her voice being at least three octaves, or 

 JI tones, this total number of intervals was 2100, all comprised within an extreme 

 variation of one-eighth of an inch ; so that it might be said that she was able to deter- 

 mine the contractions of her vocal muscles to nearly thesecenteen-tkviisandt/iof an inch. 



