MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 



lo7 



upper end, may serve as a whistle. In some cases the lower part of 

 the neck is perforated for suspension at the point occupied by tlu^ 

 septum, as imperfectly shown in the section (Fig. -iM). The most in- 

 teresting specimen in the collection is shown in Fig. 235; it is espe- 

 cially notable on account of its construction, which points clearly to 

 the gourd as a prototype. The body is of the usual globular shape, 

 slightly elongated above. The neck is represented as a separate piece 



style of the lost color group — J. 



lashed on with idnis 



just as are the handlfs df similar iiistrmncuis (M,ii^tructc(l of -durds 

 and reeds in C'ciitral AiiU'rican (•(luiitrics. The- ciiiiipartniriits of the 

 handle and of the body are separate and the sound jiroduced by the 

 small oval pellets is emitted through slits of the usual form. The 

 top of till' handle is surmounted by a pair of grotesque human figures, 

 male and IVinalc. placed back to back and united at the backs of the 

 heads as seen in the cut. This object is gray in color and presents 

 the roughened granular surface resulting from long exj^osure to the 

 elements. 



Drums. — The drum was a favorite instrument with the native 

 American musician. Early explorers found its use next to uni- 

 versal, and the "tambour" is even now a characteristic feature of the 

 musical paraphernalia of the Spanish-Americans. The primitive 

 instriiment was made by stretching a thin sheet of animal tissue over 

 the orifice of a large gourd vessel or a vessel of wood or clay. The 



