48 



See fig. 59. This is held in the left hand, as shown in fig. 60. 

 The other, the beating-stick, is simply a smaller rod of cir- 

 cular section, made of mangrove- wood (Rhyzo'pliom sp.). 

 See fig. 61. It is clasped by the right hand in either of two 

 ways : In one, the end of the rod is pressed against the little 

 finger, all other fingers holding it, with the thumb under- 

 neath. See fig. 62. In the other, the end rests against the 

 side of the middle finger, the thumb and index finger only 

 holding it. 



In performing, the ironwood is struck by the mangrove 

 rod at about two-thirds its length from the notched end, pro- 

 ducing a loud, ringing note. 



Fig. 63. 



The bamboo trumpet, or drone-pipe, is made by cutting 

 a fairly thick bamboo (Bamhusa arnhemicu), either curved or 

 straight, into a length of from four to five feet, and breaking 

 out its diaphragms, while green, with a rod and heavy 

 stone. What remains of the septa is subsequently burnt out 

 with a fire-stick. The outer surface is decorated by scratch- 

 ing designs upon it with a stone knife. See fig. 63. 



When a bamboo is not available, a provisional ''trum- 

 pet" is constructed by breaking the stem of a hybiscus and 

 carefully removing the bark intact, in the form of a long 

 pipe. This form does not last for more than a night. 



The instrument is used as an accompaniment for cor- 

 robboree chants, the operator blowing into one end with a 

 vibratory motion of his lips. Examples of the sounds pro- 

 duced are given on page 12. A droning, mournful succes- 

 sion of notes is emitted, and kept up without a break, the 

 performer breathing all the time through the nostrils, as 

 when a blowpipe is used. Before play, the pipe is usually 

 moistened on the inside with water, which is said to improve 

 its tone. 



It is interesting to note that Wilson, in 1835, in refer- 

 ring to a native dance at Rafl^es Bay, wrote* that the music 

 on that occasion was produced by one of the performers from 

 a hollow tube. 



Stokes found the instrument, referred to as "ehroo," in 

 * Narrative' of a Voyage round the World, 1835, p. 87. 



