362 On the Construction of Buildings, etc. 
sound would have been wholly lost. The tones of a 
violin which were not conspicuous in the rank and file of the 
orchestra, have been observed to stand out with singular promi- 
nence and beauty as the hearer receded toa distance. It follows, 
as a corollary from this, that a perfect intonation of voice or in- 
strument is required to insure its legitimate and full power, and 
in this particular, as has been truly remarked by a keen observer, 
Mr. J. S. Dwight,) the effect in a building of proper construc- 
tion is a measure of the accuracy and excellence of the perform- 
ance. 
In our choice of materials, wherewith to form the walls of a 
structure best adapted for the display of musical eflects, we 
should be guided by the principles laid down on a former page. 
ave seen that, in the communication of vibrations from one 
medium to another of different density, a want of homogeneity, 
in the receiving medium, impairs the quality of the transmitte 
sound. This is well illustrated by the experiment of Chladni in 
the communication of the sonorous vibrations from a glass to the 
contained liquid, when its homogeneity is disturbed. Here the 
sound is excited in a solid and transmitted to a fluid medium. 
whole and its parts. But this is presupposing such unity of 
structure as before mentioned, without which no harmonie ia 
portions would produce the intended results. . 
_In the selection of materials for building we are of necessit¥ 
limited to wood, brick and stone. Of the woods, various spe¢ 
of the pine appear to be among the best resonants and conduet- 
ors of sound, and are therefore well fitted for our 0 te 
Should a building be entirely constructed of this material (we 
have no reference here to a mere lining of wood) it would pie 
less best answer the end in view. But the greater expense oh 
risk attending this mode of building will prove a sufficient 
~~ to its use, io choiee: 
tween brick and stone, there seems to be but little chol™ 
By the preceding considerations, however, we are led _ 
