460 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



640 bars of music in " two-four" time, with all the parts as performed by a 

 full band. The increased or diminished dynamic eifect is regulated by steel 

 fingers, which also set in motion the pneumatic action operating the drums. 



The distance between the steel fingers is sufficient to allow eight rows 

 of pins and staples to be placed upon the cylinder, which, by a lateral mo- 

 tion, brings each row in turn under a finger, so that in eight revolutions of 

 the cylinder each finger has traversed a path of pins 272 inches in length; 

 this number, multiplied by 166, shows that the whole distance traversed 

 by all the fingers is 3,762 feet and 8 inches. 



Ten cylinders have already been made, and the pins and staples have been 

 arranged on four of them. The work is done by first covering the cylinder ' 

 completely and firmly with white paper, on which, by means of the fingers 

 and a graduating machine, the position of the pins and the length of the sta- 

 ples is marked. After the pins and staples have been driven into the wood 

 to the proper depth, the paper is removed. The time required for arranging 

 the pins and staoles on one cylinder is three months. In order to obtain a 

 perfectly smooth and uniform surface, presenting everywhere the same 

 arrangement of grain for holding the pins, it was found necessary to con- 

 struct the cylinders from solid logs. The basswood trees required were 

 cut at the right time in the forests of Schoharie county; and after proper 

 seasoning were bored, so as to leave a shell of about three-quarters of an 

 inch thick, by machinery 'especially constructed for this purpose at a cost 

 of several hundred dollars. The cylinders are highly polished and have 

 tbeir ends inclosed by brass disks, of diameter sufficient to form'a pro- 

 tecting rim; connected with these disks are the axles on which, when in 

 place, the cylinder revolves. The linear extent of the ten cylinders, placed 

 end to end, exceeds seventy-five feet. 



A weight of 300 pounds, which is so geared as to be easily moved, is 

 raised to a height of eleven feet; and, when connected with the cylinder, 

 causes it to revolve for about one hour and a half. The speed is regulated 

 by a fan wheel. The bellows, which supplies the pipes with wind, is 

 placed in the story below and operated by a novel hydraulic apparatus, 

 which is self-acting, that is to say, its valves are tripped internally, faster 

 or slower as more or less wind is required; the bellows itself always direct- 

 ing the movement. A correct idea of this ingenious contrivance cannot be 

 given without drawings. 



It only remains to speak of the pipes. They have been constructed with 

 great care, a large number having been rejected after subjection to trial. 

 The points satisfactorily attained are correct imitations of the sounds of 

 not only the wood and brass instruments, but also of the stringed instru- 

 ments of the orchestra. Having perfected this part of tlie "Autophoneon," 

 the inventor is able to give the correct interpretation of all written music. 

 For instance, the complete overtures of "Don Giovanni" and " Figaro" 

 are played with surprising sweetness and power. The slow and solemn 

 anthem and the exciting music of the dance are equally within its range 

 and capacity. It not only executes the most rapid passages, but adds those 

 peculiar effects which can only be produced by contrasts in the timbre and 

 dynamics of sound. 



Eight years have elapsed since Mr. Dixon commenced the construction 



