514 NATURE'S TEACHINGS. 



next move was to cut off a section of the trunk of a tree, 

 hollow it, set it on end, and then beat it on the sides. 



Lastly, some one hit upon the idea that if the open upper part 

 of the hollowed log were covered with a tightly stretched mem- 

 brane, and that if the membrane, instead of the log, were beaten, 

 the resonance would be increased. In consequence, the real 

 Drum was invented, and seems to have existed from time 

 immemorial in parts of the world so distant that they could 

 not have had any communication with each other. 



Take, for example, the well-known " Bass Drum " of our 

 bands, which is shown on the right hand of the figure. We 

 make it a very ornamental article, with frame of metal, and 

 heraldic decorations of all kinds. 



Lying against it is one of a pair of Kettle-drums, such as 



are always seen in mounted bands. They look very easy to 

 play, but, if the reader will try a pair, he will soon find his 

 mistake. 



But there are savage tribes of Western Africa who make 

 Drums of such wonderful power that their sullen roar is heard 

 for miles around, as their slow, triple beat summons the 

 tribe to arms like the fiery cross of the Highland clans. As to 

 shape, lightness, and beauty, our Drums are infinitely superior 

 to theirs, but, so far as I can gather from personal and written 

 narratives of African travellers, none of our Drums surpass 

 theirs in richness, depth of tone, and power of carrying sound. 



Sometimes these Drums, instead of being mere cylinders, 

 are carved into the most strange and fantastical patterns. I 

 possess one of these curious Drums, brought from Ashanti, 

 and carved out of a solid piece of wood. 



