5. Fidula (Fidel, Fiddle), equivalent to “viol,” is the comprehensive term for the string instruments of the 8th to the 14th century. Its resonant body was arched and pear-shaped. The French flattened it more and called it Gigue, the Italians Giga, the Germans Geige, the latter term still being used. Two varieties were in use—the small and the large. The former had three strings tuned in fifths, the latter four to six, usually tuned in fourths and one third. The “large” species was made in four sizes for Discant (soprano), Alto, Tenor, and Bass. The “large” instrument had no bridge such as the violin of today has, and in its rounded form was difficult to play. Later it was cut out at the sides, thus approaching the shape of our violin. 6. The Viol, which first appears in the 15th century, had a resonant body which came almost to a point back of the neck, and the upper part of the body of the instrument was smaller than the lower; the fingerboard had frets like our guitar; the edges were higher, the _f_ holes were sickle-shaped, the top was flat, and the number of strings was six. Viols were divided into two groups—those held with the arm (like our violin), those played between the knees (like our ’cello). They were named the soprano or discant viol (violetta), the alto and tenor viols, and the bass viol (gamba). The contra-bass or double bass has the viol form in certain respects. From the viol family comes our violin through a diminution and beautifying of the form, through lessening the number of strings and doing away with the frets. REFERENCES. Lavignac.—Music and Musicians. Section on Instruments. Grove.—Dictionary of Music and Musicians, articles on the various instruments. QUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS. What are the general classes into which musical instruments are grouped? Name the percussion instruments. Name the principles of classification for wind instruments. Give examples of each class. What is a reed? How many kinds are in use? What methods of producing sound are used in playing stringed instruments? Give examples of each class. Give a description of the lute. Name the steps in the evolution of the violin. The catalogues of the instruments contained in the Metropolitan Museum (Crosby-Brown Collection), New York City, will be found very useful for reference. This collection is one of the most complete in the world, and is arranged so as to show the development of instruments of the various types. They can be secured at slight expense by addressing the Museum. LESSON XVI. THE ORGAN, ORGAN PLAYING AND ORGAN MUSIC.