PREHISTORIC ART. 



647 



and 305. The cats are reproduced from Mr. Holmes's paper,^ and his 

 description is liere given in full: 



Of a distinct type of form, altliough involving no new principle of construction, 

 are two top-like or tarnip-shapcd instruments, one of which is shown in fig. 245 

 [our fig. 304]. The form is symmetrical, tlif ornamentation tasteful, and the surface 

 highly polished. The ware is of the alligator group and is decorated in red and 

 blaclc figures. A section is given of 246rt [our fig. 305] iind the top and bottom views 

 in b and c. By reference to these a clear conception of the ol)ject3 can bo formed. 



b c 



Fig. 305. 

 SECTION AND VERTICAL VIEWS OP INSTRUMENT SHOWN IN FIG. 304. 



The companion piece [Cat. No. 109681, U.S.N.M.] is identical in size, shape, anu con- 

 formation, and, strange to say, in musical notes also. The tones are not fixed, as 

 each can be made to vary two or three degrees l»y changing the force of the breath. 

 The tones produced l)y a breath of average force are indicated as nearly as may be 

 in the accompanying scale: 



End open. 



-*^- 



li^tzitt 



End closed. 



—I ^- 



it^f: 



They will be found to occur nearer the lower than the upper limit of their ranges. 

 It should be observed that the capacity for variation possessed by each of these 

 notes enables the skilled performer to glide from one to the other without interrup- 

 tion. This instrument is, therefore, within its limited range as capable of adjust- 

 ing itself to any succession of intervals as is the trombone or the violin, I do not 

 imagine, however, that the aboriginal performer made any systematic use of this 

 power or that the instrument was purposely so constructed. It will be seen by 

 reference to the scale that stopping the orifice in the end ojiposite the mouthpiece 

 changes the notes half a tone, or perhaps, if accurately measured, a little less than 

 that. 



Specimen, Oat. ISTo. 132754 (U.S.ISr.M.) is a smaller whistle, somewhat 

 like the preceding in outline. The lower projection opposite the mouth- 

 piece is, however, closed, and there are but two sound holes. The fol- 

 lowing notes are emitted: <i^a 



tZ±M 



>^ ^r. 



:t=t: 



'Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1884-85, pp. 163, 164, figs. 245, 246. 



