M. Garcia on the Human Voice. 219 



the glottis corresponds, which detach themselves from the ventricles 

 come in contact with different degrees of energy, and show them- 

 selves at the bottom of the larynx under the form of an ellipse of a 

 yeJIowish colour. The superior ligaments, together with the arv- 

 teno-epiglottidean folds, assist to form the tube which surmounts 

 tne glottis ; and being the lower and free extremity of that tube 

 enframe the ellipse, the surface of which they enlarge or diminish 

 according as they enter more or less into the ventricles. These last 

 scarcely retain a trace of their opening. Bv anticipation, we might 

 say of these cavities, that, as will afterwards appear clearly enough 

 in these pages they only afford to the two pair of ligaments a 

 space m which they may easily range themselves. When the 

 aryteno-epiglottidean folds contract, they lower the epiglottis and 

 make the superior orifice of the larynx considerably narrower 



Ihe meeting of the lips of the glottis, naturally proceeding from 

 the front towards the back, if this movement is well managed it 

 will allow, between the apophyses, of the formation of a trian-ular 

 space, or mter-cartilaginous glottis, but one which, however is 

 closed as soon as the sounds are produced. 



After some essays, we perceive that this internal disposition of 

 the larynx is only visible when the epiglottis remains raised But 

 neither all the registers of the voice, nor all the degrees of intensity 

 are equaly fitted for its taking this position. We soon disc^vei^ 

 that the brilliant and poweri^ul sounds of the chest-register contract 

 the cavity of the larynx, and close still more its orifice ; and on the 

 contrary, that veUed notes, and notes of moderate power, open both 

 so as to render any observation easy. The falsetto register especial 

 ly possesses this prerogative, as well as the first notes of the head- 

 voice . So as to render these facts more precise, we will study in 

 the voice of the tenor the ascending progression of the chest- 

 register, and in the soprano that of the falsetto and head-registers. 



Emission of the Chest-voice. 

 If we emit veiled and feeble sounds, the larynx opens at the notes 



do, re, mi, M : . — j. 



2 2 2 !l^E=^^t; 



and we see the glottis agitated by large and loose vibrations through- 

 out Its entire extent. Its lips comprehend in their length the ante 



chest^lrseUo'and'hefH '''t. *'^',"/fg'^ters of voice are generally admitted,-, 

 enesi, laisetto, and head. TLe first begins lower in a man's vo pp than i^ „ 



Table of (he Human Voice in its full extent. 



es 



JhlildiSf '""'* "' "'^'"*" " *'" ™"'-^^' °f '^-^"^ »«^«^^ vaiy a little in 



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