MYTHOLOGY. _ 125 



Sig^'nature. — The flats or sharps at the beginning of a compo- 

 sition, which indicate the key or scale. 



So'lo. — A composition, or even a passage, for a single voice or 

 instrument. 



Sona'ta. — A piece or composition wholly executed by instru- 

 ments, and generally supposed to exhibit the composer's 

 powers without confining liim within the rigid rules of 

 counterpoint or measure. 



Sopra'no. — The first treble, or highest vocal part. 



Staff. — The five lines and the spaces on which music is written. 



Sym'phony. — A piece of concerted music composed of several 

 parts. 



Treble. — The highest or most acute of the parts in music, and 

 adapted to the voices of females or boys. 



Tri'o. — A composition consisting of three parts ; one of which 

 must make a third with the bass, and the other a fifth or 

 octave. 



Vaude'ville. — A kind of song of a lively character, frequently 

 embodying a satire on some person or event, sung to a 

 familiar air in couplets with a refrain. 



Vol'untary. — A composition for the organ. 



MYTHOLOGY. 



Mythology (Gr. mnthologia^ literally a telling of fables). — The 

 science treating of myths, or of legendary and religious 

 popular fables. 



Achelo'us. — A river-god. In a struggle with Hercules, whom 

 he had ofiended, he assumed the form of a bull; Hercules 

 rent ofi" one of his horns, which the Naiads took, conse- 

 crated, and filled with fragrant flowers. Plenty adopted it, 

 and called it Cornucopia. 



A'cis. — Son of Faunus, was beloved by Galatea, and slain by 

 the envious Cyclops. 



Actae'on. — Son of king Cadmus; while hunting, he came acci- 

 dentally upon the huntress Diana engaged in cooling her 

 limbs in a fountain. Seeing the intruder, Diana dashed 

 water into his face, converting him into a stag, that his 

 own dogs slew. 



Ado'nis. — A beautiful youth beloved by Venus. 



.ffiscula'pius. — Son of Apollo. He became a renowned physi- 



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