1883.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 89 



terminal portion, or bell, is slightly concave exteriorly, of circular 

 form, and decorated with designs of unique patterns, which have 

 been stamped thereon while in a moist condition, b}' means of 

 forms or dies ; some of these, evidently used for a similar purpose, 

 and made of baked clay, are to be seen in the Academy. The 

 internal portion of this bell is hollow, becoming convex as it 

 approaches the edges, and contracting at the point of connection 

 with the tube or barrel, to a thickness of half an inch. Around 

 this is foi'med a small cup-like cavity, which bears a most important 

 part in performing upon the instrument. A careful examination 

 and analysis of the construction of these instruments was made 

 from a large number of fragments, some of which were splintered 

 and broken in such a manner that the internal structure was clearly 

 shown. It appeared that they must have been formed in four 

 parts, the neck, clay -reed, body and foot or bell, which were 

 afterwards united together while in a moist condition. Traces of 

 the sutures, although in most cases concealed by the modeling, 

 can be detected in man}^ of the instruments. 



It has been asserted in the beginning of this article, tliat the 

 fourth and seventh tones of the diatonic scales could be produced 

 upon these four-holed instruments (Plate III, fig. 1), and as this 

 assertion is somewhat contradictory to most authorities who have 

 liitherto written upon the subject, my method of proceeding shall 

 be given in detail, witli the result obtained. I propose to show — 



I. That the fourth, seventh and octave tones of the diatonic 

 scale as known to us exist in the Aztec instruments. 



II. That the additional sounds or semi-tones, which constitute 

 the chromatic scale, are likewise present. 



That the fourth and seventh tones do exist in the scale of the 

 ancient Mexicans or Aztecs, and can be produced upon their clay 

 flageolfets, will be hereinafter shown. 



The objection may be raised, however, that although we, with 

 our knowledge of music, which has only been gained by the 

 experience and wisdom of centuries, can obtain all these tones, 

 3'et the Aztecs may have been ignorant of the ability of the 



1883, page 270 ; although the ancient Peruvians seem to have possessed 

 flutes of this description, one of which is now in the cabinet of the 

 American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, and is mentioned by 

 Mr. H. S. Phillips, Jr., their Corresponding Secretary, in his interesting 

 report for 1882, p. 15. 



