a specimen of which may be seen in the Indian Museum, and which is still in use in South India. It was not long before the brass horn came into use. Two parts of India, Madras and Nepal, are noted for their brass horns. Practically all those in the Indian Museum came from one or other of these provinces. The name in the north is Sringa, Komiki, Kalahay ; and in the south Kombu, which is the Tamil word for 'horn.' These horns are used for signals, processions and festivals. In the south it is often made of several brass pieces, fitting into one another for the sake of portability. It usually has a curved shape, and is about four to six feet in length. It curves in two contrary curves, something like the old curved coach horn. In the south it is only played by the low castes, probably reminiscent of the time when it was always made of horn. It is quite possible to get a large number of notes from it and shrill wavering cadences. I have never heard a melody played upon it. A speciality of Nepal are the snake-shaped horns, with a serpent's or tiger's head as an orifice.
The Conch Shell or Sankhu is also a very ancient wind instrument and is held very sacred. It is the precursor of the trumpet. One hears of it in all the ancient literature of India, as being used both for warlike and for sacred purposes. To-day it is used a great deal by beggars and in the temples to make a sound which has only occasionally some of the merits of music. It hardly, however, comes under the head of musical instruments. In the temple ritual it either gives an opening fanfare, or plays a sort of rythmical accompaniment.
The Reed Flute, Vansa of the ancient books, or Bansuri, is one of the commonest instruments in the musical traditions of India. It is also called the Murali or Fillagori. It is always associated with Krishna, and he is usually represented standing on one leg and playing it. This was the instrument with which Krishna charmed the gopis of Brindaban. It has various names and forms, and more or less resembles the English flute. It is made from bamboo hollowed out, or else from a hollow piece of metal, and has the usual sound holes. The player blows down
