148 PHYSIOLOGY CHAP. 



of the true vocal cords. It is doubtful whether they can act as 

 dampers by dropping to the level of the true vocal cords. 



(<7) The function of the epiglottis in voice production is also 

 uncertain. But the positions it takes up must certainly contribute 

 to altering the character and quality of the voice. 



(A) Abundant proof of the great influence on the character of 

 the voice of the different forms which may be assumed by the 

 pharyngo-buccal cavity owing to the various positions of the soft 

 palate, tongue, and lips, will be shown when we come to discuss 

 language and particularly the formation of the vowels. 



V. The sounds produced by the human voice are all comprised 

 in the interval of three and a half octaves, or a little more, but no 

 one individual possesses such an extensive vocal range. Few 

 indeed, and only after long practice, succeed in acquiring a range 

 of even three octaves, and in these rare cases the end-notes of the 

 scale are deficient in strength and clearness. The average compass 

 of a well-developed singer seldom exceeds two octaves. 



The range of voice within the limits of the two octaves 

 depends principally upon the dimensions of the larynx, which 

 differs considerably in the sexes. In either sex musicians dis- 

 tinguish three different varities soprano, mezzo-soprano, and 

 contralto, for the female voice ; tenor, baritone, and bass, for the 

 male voice. The soprano voice is about an octave higher than 

 the tenor ; the contralto about an octave above the bass. A few 

 notes between G and F of the third octave of the piano are 

 common to baritone and soprano. The table, p. 149, shows the 

 range of voice usually met with in different singers. Opposite 

 each note is the number of simple vibrations which correspond 

 to it according to the international concert pitch a 1 = 435 (see 

 Chap. V. of Vol. IV.). 



At puberty there is a rapid development of the larynx which 

 alters the range of the voice. Owing to the elongation of the 

 cords the voice generally falls an octave in the male and about 

 two notes in girls. A boy's soprano voice usually changes to a 

 tenor, an alto to a baritone. While changing, the voice becomes 

 harsh, uneven, and guttural ; this is due to a transitory hyperaemia 

 and swelling of the vocal cords which accompanies the growth of 

 the whole organ. 



In eunuchs the voice of childhood is usually retained, but it 

 becomes stronger and fuller. 



The upper limit of the vocal tones is reached at about the age 

 of eleven years. Children's voices may reach the highest notes of 

 the fifth octave, which are very seldom attained by the highest 

 sopranos. 



The range of a child's voice varies, according to Engel, from 

 three whole tones to two full octaves. Paulsen (1895) found on 

 examining a large number of children that the compass of the 



