Yin. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. 171 



#, By the irregularity of intervals which, in a cylindrical string, 

 are crowded together near the reed, and are far apart when 

 remote from it. 



c. By the irregularity of tone in different portions of the string's 



length. When an ordinary string is used in short lengths 

 the reed's motion is confined, and the tone is consequently 

 pure ; as the string lengthens, the tone becomes loose and 

 coarse. 



d. By the reducing of the string's bulk by stretching when 



tuned, as the reed remains constant the intervals would 

 be changed when the string is thus attenuated. 



The conical string meets these difficulties thus, 



. The bulk of the string lies in the part used for playing upon, 

 and thus no intervals are wasted. 



b. The bulk is increased where the intervals would otherwise 



be wider. 



c. The increasing bulk controls the reed equally at all points. 



d. If tuned from the smaller end the string does not become 



attenuated, as more bulk is brought over the other bridge. 



13. Apparatus for studying the relative amount of tone con- 

 tributed through the string. 



a. By the action of a soundboard and bridge. 



b. By the reciprocal action of a spring-bow. 



The spring-bow can also be rendered rigid, and the tone is then 

 due merely to the constraining effect of the string on the reed's 

 motion. 



14. JEolian effects produced by percussion. For investigating 

 the causes of the JEolian tone. 



15. Apparatus investigating the most effective modes of 

 . Constraint upon a reed. 



b. Transmission to a soundboard. 



An intermediate mass is here used for transmission. 



16. Apparatus showing how far quality of tone can be now 

 affected by reaction from the soundboard. By placing a weight 

 on different parts of the soundboard any quality of tone can be 

 produced. 



17. Further modifications for reducing these principles to 

 practical use by altering the relation of levers and spring resis- 

 tance, and substituting for the intermediate mass the structure 

 of 'the register, which, as in No. 18, is itself the conductor to the 

 soundboard. 



18. Register embodying the foregoing improvements into a 

 form for practical use, and illustrating the different forms of 

 constraint applicable to reeds. 



19. A new form of vibrator applicable to all solid bodies as 



