502 Construction of Ancient Mexican Terra-cotta (May, 
performer. Underneath the retort-shaped pitch-pipes, close to 
where the neck-flap and body are joined together, Fig. 1, B (Plate 
Xvil), there is generally a button of clay, pierced by a hole through 
which a cord might be passed, forming a loop for suspension, of 
to attach it to the body of the musician. The primitive pipes 
shown in Figs. 1 and 5 (Plate xv1) do not have the button at 
tached, but are pierced by a hole, used for a like purpose, made 
through the thick part of the neck-piece, Fig. 2, Z (Plate xvi), near 
to its jointure with the body. 
A large pitch-pipe, Figs. 5-6 (Plate xvii), the character and 
outline of which are admirably shown by the artist, has been 
found among the specimens of the Poinsett collection since the 
publication of an article upon Aztec music by the Academy of 
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. The instrument in question, 
Figs. 5-6, is pitched in the scale of A (three sharps compared 
with the flute), and the construction of the neck-piece and other 
parts differs but slightly from those already described. The body 
portion, Fig. 5, C and 6, D (Plate xvir), is considerably elongated 
‘and well adapted to produce the rich, mellow sound which it 
emits when blown into. Traces of jointure in this specimen a 
admirably concealed, and demonstrate that the body of the m 
strument was made in two pieces (upon a form) similar to a 
‘shown in Fig. 7, R, S (Plate xvi); although much more elongate? 
The body is pierced by a stop-hole, Figs. 5, E and 6, F (Plate ote 
like other pipes, and may be classed, on account of its construe 
tion and the grotesque decoration of its exterior, with 
retort-like form, shown in Figs. 1-3 (Plate Xvi). 
The construction of the Aztec pitch-pipes in the Poi 
lection of antiquities having been described, it will be nece 
to say a few words upon their progression from p 
ments, which it may, in all reason, be assumed were P 
among other barbarian nations, while their ancestors 
savage state. As shells pierced by sound holes, 
of bone or cane (without finger holes) were ina 
most primitive instruments manufactured and u 
as they 
ever rude when first invented, gradually improved primitivë 
vanced toward the middle status of barbarism. * SA shid 
whistles already mentioned, Figs. 6, H, 7, H (P sae who johad | 
were exhumed from the graves of the savage tribes | j 
those of l 
nsett col 
rimitive inst 
roduceć® | 
weem? | 
and hollow tub 
i probability 8 
sed by igi 
cestors of the Aztecs, it may readily be granted that the® 4 
