206 LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



the wind, and on the different degrees with which 

 the orifices are covered. These variations in the 

 force of the wind required to be given with a 

 rapidity which the ear can scarcely follow, and 

 the articulation of the tongue was required for 

 the quickest notes, otherwise the effect was far 

 from agreeable. As the human tongue is not 

 capable of giving the requisite articulations to a 

 rapid succession 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 fifty-six pounds in order to produce the highest 

 notes. A single ounce was sufficient for the 

 lowest notes : so that we may, from this circum- 

 stance, form an idea of the variety of intermediate 

 effects required to be produced. 



While M. Vaucanson was engaged in the con- 

 struction 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 super- 



