458 OF THE MUSICAL SCALES 



The Hindus divide the octave into twenty-two inter- 

 vals, which are called S'ruti, by allotting four S'ruti to 

 represent the interval which we call a major tone, three 

 to describe a minor tone, and two the semi-tone : not ' I 

 as being mathematically just, but as means of repre- 

 senting to the eye, and to the understanding, the sup- 

 posed relations which these intervals hear to each other ; 

 merely to show, that a semi-tone is half a major tone, 

 and that the minor tone is a medium between the major 

 and semi-tone, being less than the former and greater 

 tlian the latter. Mathematical calculation is out of the 

 question. 



Perhaps they were induced to make this division of 

 the octave^ by considering the minor tone as not divi- 

 sible by two, without a fraction ; and therefore made 

 the whole number three, to represent it : for, if we 

 divide the octave into twelve semi»tones, this will give 

 twenty-four quarter tones or «SVw/i ; but by allowing 

 three to represent each of the two minor tones, instead 

 of four, there will remain only twenty-two, the num- 

 ber of S'ruti admitted. 



The S'niiis aje personified as so many nymphs j. 

 and, in the Sanojta Reeindcara, are thus named and 

 arranged -f-. - ♦ 



To Shadja or To Rhhahha or 



6"^ 4 ^Tilra Ri 3 [Dayuvati 



J Cumudvatl -■{ Renjiini 



I Mundd X^Retica 



\_Chandovya * ~' ' ' 



t The names, exhibited in the SiiTigita Damudara, arc qirte Oi^"- 

 ferent. They seldom occur exce|)t in (he writings ol iuiihsjrs tivat- 

 wa: on musx. H. T. C. 



