The Throat and the Voice 281 



In children the vocal cords are shorter than those of 

 adults. The voices of boys " break," or " change," because 

 of the sudden growth or enlargement of the larynx and 

 consequent increase in length of the vocal cords, at from 

 fourteen to sixteen years of age. Those qualities of the 

 voice which we speak of as sweet, harsh, and sympathetic 

 depend to a great extent upon the peculiar structure of 

 the vocal cords of the individual. 



The general shape and structure of the trachea, the 

 larynx, the throat and mouth, also influence the quality 

 of voice. Thus the air passages, both below and above 

 the vibrating cords, act as resonators, or resounding 

 chambers, and intensify and modify the sounds produced 

 by the cords. It is this fact that prompts skillful teachers 

 of music and elocution to urge upon their pupils the 

 necessity of the mouth being properly opened during 

 speech, and especially during singing. 



Experiment 142. To show the anatomy of the throat. Study 

 the general construction of the throat by the help of a hand mirror. 

 Repeat the same on the throat of some friend. 



Experiment 143. To show the construction of the vocal organs. 

 Get a butcher to furnish the windpipes of two sheep or calves. 

 The vocal organs of these animals differ somewhat from those of the 

 human body, but the different parts which have been described can 

 be readily recognized. 



One specimen should be cut open lengthwise in the middle line in 

 front, and the other cut in the same way from behind. 



7 438, Speech. Speech is to be distinguished from voice. 

 It may exist without voice, as in a whisper. 



Speech consists of articulated sounds, that is, interrupted 

 sounds, the interruptions being produced by the action of 

 various parts of the mouth, throat, and nose. 



