KEATZENSTEIN'S TALKING AUTOMATON. 267 



of notes, and generally slurs over one-half of them, the 

 automaton was thus able to excel the best performers, as 

 it played complete airs with articulations of the tongue at 

 every note. 



In constructing this machine M. Vaucanson observed 

 that the flageolet must be a most fatiguing instrument for 

 the human lungs, as the muscles of the chest must make 

 an effort equal to 56 pounds in order to produce the 

 highest notes. A single ounce was sufficient for the 

 lowest notes, so that we may, from this circumstance, 

 form an idea of the variety of intermediate effects required 

 to be produced. 



While M. Vaucanson was engaged in the construction 

 of these wonderful machines, his mind was filled with the 

 strange idea of constructing an automaton containing the 

 whole mechanism of the circulation of the blood. From 

 some birds which he made he was satisfied of its practica- 

 bility ; but as the whole vascular system required to be made 

 of elastic gum or caoutchouc, it was supposed that it could 

 only be executed in the country where the caoutchouc-tree 

 was indigenous. Louis XVI. took a deep interest in the 

 execution of this machine. It was agreed that a skilful 

 anatomist should proceed to Guiana to superintend the 

 construction of the blood-vessels, and the King had not 

 only approved of, but had given orders for, the voyage. 

 Difficulties, however, were thrown in the way : Vaucanson 

 became disgusted, and the scheme was abandoned. 



The two automata which we have described were 

 purchased by Professor Bayreuss of Helmstadt; but we 

 have not been able to learn whether or not they still 

 exist. 



Towards the end of the nineteenth century a bold and 

 almost successful attempt was made to construct a talking 

 automaton. In the year 1779, the Imperial Academy of 

 Sciences at St. Petersburgh proposed as the subject of one 



