THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF THE INCAS. 17 



or, in other words, the pitch of a note produced, depends 

 chiefly on the length of the column of air within the flute. 



In the flutes represented the vents or holes for changing the 

 length of the vibrating column of air vary in number from three 

 to seven. In those made of cane they are all on the upper side, 

 while the bone flutes often have one of the holes on the under 

 side, which was closed by the thumb. Nos. 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14 and 

 17 to 26 are of the latter kind. 



All attempts to discover any rule or law governing the po- 

 sitions of the openings or vents have been unsuccessful. A 

 first glance at several of these flutes, particularly those made of 

 cane, gives the impression that an attempt at equal spacing had 

 been made; but a second shows such a variation in distances 

 that this seems doubtful. The bone flutes (figs. 25 and 26, Plate 

 V) arc of the same length, yet a great dift'erence in the position 

 of the holes is apparent at a glance. We are led to the con- 

 clusion that these ancient flute-makers were not governed by set 

 laws, but that each made his instrument according to his own 

 idea. That the tones produced are in false key-relationship is 

 not to be wondered at when we consider the imperfections in 

 their construction ; in fact, the flutes are sadly out of tune. 

 What the late John Comfort Fillmore wrote of the Omaha 

 Indian flageolet applies equally to these flutes : 



"The imperfections are plainly due to the limitations, not of the 

 Indian's perception, so m.uch as of his scientific knowledge. The 

 flageolet is evidently built 'by guess,' and only remotely approxi- 

 mates to tlie Indian voice in accuracy of intonation." ' 



Those acquainted with the difficulties that beset the maker of a 

 flute at the present day will see nothing strange in the lack of 

 method in the location of the vents in the flutes of these ancient 

 Peruvians. Mr. Wead remarks: 



"In practice these holes never can open so freely to the outside 

 air that tlie portion of the tube beyond them may be considered as 

 removed (the possibility or necessity of cross-fingering proves this 



' Omaha Indian Music, Alice C. Fletcher, Appendix, p. 73. 



