334 



Dr. Felix Semon 



[March 13, 



anterior insertions of the cords can be seen in both photographs, 

 therefore the actual difference in the length of the bands can be 

 appreciated. The vocal cords have not only become shorter, but they 

 appear to be subject to a much higher degree of tension. The 

 cartilaginous glottis is closed, and the aperture in the ligamentous 

 portion has been much reduced in size. The laws which govern the 

 pitch in both string and reed instruments will aid us in explaining 

 this change. Though the tone is higher, and the degree of stretching 

 less than in the note below, the tension is increased, and the aperture 

 through which the air passes is much narrower." 



" The anterior, posterior, and lateral dimensions of the larynx are 

 shown to have been considerably decreased when the voice broke into 

 the register above. The voice acquired a very different quility, 

 which continued in gradual elevation of pitch throughout the register." 

 As marked a change as this in the mechanism of the vocal cords in 

 females is, Dr. French believes, only found in the larynges of con- 

 tralto singers. 



" As the singer ascends the scale above the break at F sharp the 

 vocal cords are increased in length, and the chink gradually enlarges, 

 as shown in the next pair. The first photograph is of the larynx 



Fig. 8. 



while singing F sharp, treble clef, first space, the note on which the 

 lower break occurred, and the second while singing D, treble clef, 

 fourth line, which is the highest note in the middle register of the 

 voice of this singer. The difference in the length of the vocal cords 

 and width of the chink of the glottis as the voice mounts from the 

 lowest to the highest note of the middle register is clearly shown. 

 Again, as the vocal bands increase in length in this register, their 

 tension is apparently decreased." 



" Now the voice mounts one note higher — that is, to E, treble clef, 

 fourth space — and as it does so a distinct change in the quality of 



