HANDBOOK OF THE COLLECTION OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 53 



It is used universally throughout India in religious processions, 

 both by the Mohammedans and Hindus; it is also blown by watch- 

 men at sunset and at certain hours of the night. Wailing blasts 

 from this horn are sounded at the cremations of Hindu princes and 

 at the funerals of the lower classes or castes. The tone is not unlike 

 an ordinary bugle, but has more power and compass. A native horn 

 of the Sumatrans is 96452, consisting of three conical tubes sliding 

 one within the other. The bell is flaring and the instrument so 

 curved that when it is played the bell faces the player. The tube is 

 ornamented with hollow rings. According to North China Branch 

 Royal Asiatic Society (p. 100), "the sliding tubes of these instru- 

 ments are not meant to change their notes but to reduce their 

 lengths w T hen not in use." 



The Filipinos in recent times have made a horn out of bamboo 

 and placed outside it two pieces of rattan bent in ovals, imitating the 

 coils of a military horn, also three short pieces of bamboo in imita- 

 tion of piston valves. No wind passes through these false coils and 

 valves. One end of the bamboo is removed and the " horn " is blown 

 through a short piece of bamboo inserted in its side. These horns 

 vary in size. No. 95052 is a " bass horn " and 95057 an " alto horn," 

 the latter differing in size and also in being split into eight sections a 

 third of its length. This produces a reedy tone in the instrument. 



Section 3. DRUMS AND OTHER VIBRATING MEMBRANES 



No musical instrument has preserved its identity from ancient 

 times so clearty as the drum. It is commonly regarded as a martial 

 instrument, but from early times has been associated with the re- 

 ligion and ceremonies of many peoples. Under the name of tabret 

 or timbrel it is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, but, 

 according to Dr. I. M. Casanowicz, it " appears to have had no place 

 in the religious services of the tabernacle or the temple." It was 

 " used chiefly by women, especially in dances and public processions." 

 The timbrel shown on Egyptian monuments is four sided as well as 

 circular in shape. The sculpture and literature of Egypt, Assyria, 

 Greece, and Rome indicate the early use of the drum in those coun- 

 tries, but it was not introduced into Europe until a comparatively 

 modern time. Perhaps the largest variety of drums comes from 

 China and Si am, where the drum is connected with religion and is 

 also used in connection with theatrical performances. It was used 

 in the time of Confucius, and is said to have been introduced into 

 Japan from China. Viewing the history and development of the 

 drum in its entirety we note that the general tendency has been to 

 shorten the length of the drum shell and to increase the diameter of 

 the head. 



