Oct. 7, 1886] 
Speaking generally, it may be said that the cartilagin- 
ous glottis is generally open in the lower and gently 
closed in the upper notes of the chest, and that a seg- 
ment of the ligamentous glottis is ¢7g#¢/y closed in the 
head voice. The two registers may be called the long- 
reed and the short-reed, according to the length of the 
cord vibrating. It has also been noticed that the blast of 
air is much feebler with the head than with the chest 
voice. 
The new and important observation which Dr. Mac- 
kenzie has made and amply verified is, that in the head 
note of women and in falsetto singing only the anterior 
third of the vocal cords, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, 
vibrate, and that the remainder of the cords are in firm 
contact with one another. Only twice has he observed a 
vibration limited to the middle third of the cords, which 
has often been described as the usual one. Some obser- 
vers have asserted that in falsetto only the extreme 
edge of the cords vibrates ; but, as 12 inches is the nearest 
distance at which a good image can be obtained by the 
Fic. 2.—The position of the vocal 
cords for the hizher range of 
chest notes 
Fic. 1.—The position of the vocal 
cords for the lower range of 
chest notes. 
Fic. 4.—The position of the vocal 
cords for falsetto notes. 
Fic. 5.—A very exceptional posi- 
tion of the vocal cords for 
head notes. 
laryngoscope, only the mean position of the cords can be 
observed, and it is impossible to detect any vibration 
when a high note is being sung; and hence the author 
rejects the statements of those who profess to have ob- 
served vibrations limited to the edge. 
The long-reed or chest voice is generally used by 
sopranos, Figs. 1 and 2 showing the position of the 
cords in the case of Mesdames Nilsson, Albani, and 
Valleria; on the other hand, the high notes of mezzo- 
sopranos and contraltos are short-reed, e.g. Madame 
Patey, as shown in Fig. 3. Tenors use both reeds, 
while the long only is used by the basses, and com- 
monly by the barytones. 
Alto singers among men use the short-reed, whilst boys 
always use the long. 
In falsetto the false vocal cords, which are movable 
bands of tissue superior to the true vocal cords, also 
approximate considerably. 
NATOKE 
549 
The quality of a voice depends upon the accuracy with 
which the vocal cords are moved, on their tension, on 
the regulation of the respiration, on the position of the 
soft palate and fauces, and on the movements of the 
tongue and lips. 
These points are all touched upon, but the details of 
the methods by which they are to be trained do not fall 
within the scope of this book, but belong to the domain 
of the singing-master. 
A certain amount of vocal discipline is recommended 
for children as early as the age of five or six, or even 
younger, but it should be limited to simple airs of 
limited compass, such as those by Louisa Gray, pub- 
lished by Messrs. Wood and Co. ‘They are warranted to 
contain “no love and no high notes,” and may therefore 
be trusted not to inflame either the infant’s tender heart 
or its delicate larynx. 
Observations on 500 choristers have disproved the 
idea that “cracking” or “breaking” of the voice is an 
essential stage, for in only 17 per cent. did the voice be- 
come cracked in changing to the adult condition ; and in 
these cases the cords were congested, and the state was 
due to over-exertion or to cold. 
The hygiene recommended for vocalists may be 
summed up in the adoption of such a mode of life as is 
most beneficial to the general health ; prompt treatment 
of any cold or hoarseness; and, if their faith is pinned 
on the virtues of raw eggs, champagne, or any of the 
thousand and one things recommended for the voice, 
they may be permitted, if they are not absolutely 
injurious. 
The latter part of the book is occupied with the train- 
ing of the speaking voice, an account of its various 
defects, and the methods of diminishing them. 
Stammering, which depends on a defective control 
over the respiration and over the tension of the vocal 
cords, may be much improved by training; while 
stuttering, which depends on a spasm of the tongue and 
on imperfect control over the lips, is rarely benefited, 
except in the slighter cases. Strychnine is occasionally 
of use, while tobacco intensifies the difficulty. 
Valuable hints for training the voice are given, and 
great stress is laid on the importance of a most accurate 
acquirement of the vowel sounds, when the consonantal 
follow readily. 
A NEW CASE OF PARTHENOGENESIS IN 
THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM 
pleis years ago I discovered in the Quebrada (i.e. 
ravine) of Guarenas, about nine miles to the east of 
Caracas, and approximately at 650 metres above the level 
of the sea, one of those charming groups of tropical vege- 
tation, which are equally interesting to the botanist and 
to the lover of the picturesque beauties of nature. A 
magnificent specimen of Pogonopus Ottonts was all 
aglow with its large rosy sepals; up to its highest 
branches a luxuriant V7/?s carzbea had ascended in 
graceful festoons, Jaden with blackish grapes, and dis- 
playing now and then in the gentle breeze the silvery 
glimmer from the under side of its palmate leaves; 
whilst in the damp shade underneath throve a colony of 
Gloxinia pallidifiora, a plant which from its bruised 
leaves gives out a smell identical with that of the spear- 
mint. 
My attention, however, was especially attracted to a 
tall suffrutescent climber with dark-green ivy-like foliage, 
and large drooping clusters of bright-red fruits, which | 
was sure I had never met with before. The general 
Jactes was certainly that of amenispermaceous plant ; but 
the structure of the fruit proved to be utterly discrepant 
from anything I knew of this family. Flowers I found 
none, and a prolonged search in the neighbourhood for 
another specimen was to no effect. I gathered a quantity 
