n28 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



cases tL«io arc traces of a i>lating of gold. The largest is 1^ inches in height .aid 

 three-fourths of an inch in diameter. It is surmounted by the rude ligure of an 

 animal, tlirough or beneatli the body of which is an opening or attachment of a 

 cord. Others have simple loops at the top. The small perforated one belongs 1o 

 Mr. .1. 1?. Stearns, of Short Hills, Xcw Jersey. The additional 

 piece given in fig. 42 [ourfig. 2S0] is unique in conception. It 

 represents a human head, which takes an inverted jidsition 

 when the bell is suspended. Tlielowerpart of the bell f.>rms 

 a conical crown to the head and the ring of suspension is at- 

 tached to the chin. Double coils of wire take the place of the 

 ears, and the other features are formed by setting on bits of 

 the material used in modeling. This specimen belongs to the 

 collection of Mr. Stearns. Many examples of more elaborate 

 workmanship have been recovered from the tombs and are now 

 to be found in the collections of America and Europe. A speci- 

 men found many years ago on the Rio Grande near Panama, 

 and figured in Harper's Weekly, was of gold and showed 

 specific variations from the Chiriciuian pieces. It will be^ 

 seen by reference to the outline given in fig. 43 [our fig. 281] 

 that three very neatly shaped and gracefully ornamented 

 bells are mounted upon a circular plate to which a short 

 It was evidently not intended 

 for suspension, but rather to be held in the hand as 

 a rattle. 



Fig. 282. 



GOLD RATTLE. 



Antioqnia. 



Cat. No. Usnii, U.S.N.M. 



Natural size. 



haTulle is attached. 



Fig. 283. 



DOUBLE WHLSTLE. 



Chiriqni. 



U. S. Natinnal Museum. Natural size. 



Fig. 282 represents a small gold rattle 

 from a prehistoric grave in the jirovince of 

 Autioquia, Colombia, South America, re- 

 ceived from Mr. Thomas Ilerran. The upper 

 part is globular, and contains the metal pel- 

 let which produces the tinkling sound. The 

 stem or handle is tapering and encircled by 

 raised fillets. It was evidently cast in a 

 mold. The tone is weak compared with that 

 obtained from the bells made of bronze 



previously mentioned, the natural properties 

 of gold not being as resonant. 



WIND INSTRUMENTS — POTTERY. 



Double whistles. — These are the sim])lest 

 form and need not be described separately. 

 They are all pear or gourd shaped, joined 

 above and below, and have an opening be- 

 tween the necks. The mouthpieces are where 

 the stems are joined, and aie so close to 

 gether that both must be blown at the same 

 time. Two tones are produced, and in a 

 majority of the instruments these are identical in pitch. Where 

 tliere is a ditterence it will be indicated in the accompanying 

 scales. Fig. 283 represents one of this series, and the section in 

 iig. 284 shows the relative positions of the mouthpieces, air passages, 



Fig. 284. 



SECTION OF DOUBLE WHISTLE, 

 FIO. 283. 



