CHAPTER XXII. 

 THE VOICE. 



The Ear and the Voice. The delicate mechanism and 

 capabilities of the ear are fully matched by the fine adjust- 

 ment and range of the voice. The organ of the voice is 

 well worthy of study, if we look at it merely as a most 

 ingenious contrivance, to say nothing of its importance to 

 us as a means of expressing thought. 



What we can learn from Our Own Throats. We can learn a 

 little from the observation of our own mouths and throats. The pro- 

 jection of the throat known as " Adam's Apple " is one angle of the 

 Thyroid cartilage. A ridge may be felt running downward from the 

 projecting angle. Above the Adam's apple a depression may be felt. 

 Press the tip of the ringer lightly into this depression and perform the 

 act of swallowing. It will be noted that the Adam's apple is drawn up- 

 ward and closer to the bone above the depression. This bone is the 

 Hyoid bone ; it is connected with the larynx below the base of the 

 tongue. Below the thyroid cartilage another cartilage may be felt, 

 the Cricoid cartilage. Below this is the windpipe with its rings of 

 cartilage. The general form of the whole larynx may be felt in a per- 

 son not overburdened with fat. 



By depressing the tongue and looking into the mouth the tip of the 

 epiglottis may possibly be seen at the base of the tongue. Beyond 

 these points we cannot learn much without dissection. A small mirror 

 set obliquely on a handle (like those used by dentists) may be inserted 

 through the mouth so that the larynx can be seen from above. But 

 the meaning of what would be thus seen would not be very clear with- 

 out a careful dissection of the larynx. 



The Vocal Cords. The vocal cords are not very appro- 

 priately named. They are mere ridges projecting from 



39 



