2 BULLETIN 136, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



respondence may be attributed, in large measure, the remarkable 

 completeness of the Museum collection. An exhaustive search was 

 made for old instruments to complete synoptic series, and when these 

 could not be obtained, copies were made from the best models. 



The specimens which comprise the collection have been derived 

 from numerous sources, some of which antedated the organization 

 of the Smithsonian Institution. Many specimens represent an in- 

 terest and cooperation on the part of other countries, rare and 

 valuable instruments having been received as gifts from the King 

 of Siam, Rajah Tagore, India, and other foreign potentates. Offi- 

 cers of the Army and Navy and consular representatives of the 

 United States in foreign countries have obtained many musical in- 

 struments for the Museum, while other specimens have been col- 

 lected by members of the staff of various branches of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. Type specimens have been received from in- 

 ventors, dealers, and manufacturers; and large numbers have been 

 obtained from private collectors or denoted by generous individuals. 



The literary material left by Mr. Hawley is extensive and has 

 been of greatest assistance in preparing this handbook. The card 

 index of specimens comprises 3,057 cards, with detailed information 

 concerning each specimen. Separate card indexes were prepared by 

 him showing the classes of musical instruments with catalogue num- 

 bers of specimens, the geographical locations whence the specimens 

 came, the names of collectors or donors, and an index of musical 

 terminology. The largest card index prepared by Mr. Hawley con- 

 tains more than 23,000 cards, representing musical instruments in 

 other museums or mentioned in literature, with descriptions and 

 references. Only type specimens in the National Museum collection 

 are included in this latter index. In addition to exhibited speci- 

 mens and card indexes the musical material comprises reference 

 books, old musical publications, photographs, and phonograph rec- 

 ords of primitive music, some of the latter made in 1888. 



The exhibit hall contains only a portion of the musical instru- 

 ments, many being included in the historical or cultural material of 

 various countries, or kept for reference in the Museum offices. The 

 great Worch collection of pianos may be seen on the rotunda bal- 

 conies of the Natural History Building. 



Section 1. SOLID, SONOROUS INSTRUMENTS 

 GONGS 



The simplest form of sonorous instrument is the gong, which may 

 be defined as an object of stone, metal, wood, etc., struck with a 

 mallet to produce a tone. A flat stone or a log of wood, struck in 

 such a manner as to produce a tone, is a gong. The use of stone in 



