448 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



soon as the two flames are united. If the position of the flames in the 

 tube is varied, still keeping them apart, it is found that the sound 

 diminishes while the flames are raised above the one-third until they 

 reach the middle point, where the sound ceases. Below this point 

 the sound increases down to one-fourth of the tube's length. If at 

 this latter point the flames are brought together, the sound will not 

 cease immediately, but the flames will continue to vibrate as a single 

 flame would. M. Kastner, for his first experiments, used tAvo flames 

 derived from the combustion of hydrogen gas in suitably constructed 

 burners. The interference of the singing-flames is only produced 

 under special conditions. It is certain that the length and the size 

 of the tubes depend upon the number of flames. The burners must 

 be of a particular shape ; the height of the flames does not exercise 

 much effect upon the phenomenon. From a practical point of view, 

 the numerous experiments effected by M. Kastner during several years 

 have resulted in the construction of a musical apparatus of an entirely 

 new principle, to which he has given the name of Pyrophone (Fig. 3)/ 

 it may be called a new organ, working by singing-flames, or rather by 

 vibrations caused by means of the combustion of these flames. This 

 instrument may be constructed from one octave to a most extended 

 compass. 



The British Meview humorously remarks that the pyrophone will 

 naturally be valuable in winter, and that in America it has already 

 been recommended to families as a means of warming small apart- 

 ments, and perhaps an economical stove may be added to it for the 

 culinary exigencies of straitened households. 



The pyrophone will have in the future a poetical mission to fill in 

 the music of concerts. A great number of composers and musicians 

 have already admired this new organ performing by the singing of 

 flames, or rather by vibrations determined by mtans of the combus- 

 tion of these flames. They think it will be of great advantage in 

 cathedrals and churches, as the most extended compass can be given 

 to the instrument. 



JO Ann'ee Scientijique, by M, Figuier, declares that the pyrop])one 

 is assuredly one of the most original instruments that science has 

 given to instrumental music. In the large pyrophone which M. Kast- 

 ner has constructed, and which they have not yet been able to bring 

 to London, an artist can produce sounds unknown till the present 

 time, imitating the human voice, but with strange and beautiful tones, 

 capable of producing in religious music the most wonderful effects. 

 So says Le Journal Officiel de V Exposition de Vienne. 



Journals and reviews abroad have unanimously mentioned with 

 praise this new instrument, both from a musical as well as from a 

 scientific point of view. 



M. Henri de Parville, in Les Gauseries Scientifiques, gives a large 

 space to the consideration of " Singing-Flames," and states that "gas 



