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Show D ru in LaiiKuaec of the Cumeroona. Perhaps nothing more remarkable bos i been the subject of recent Investigation than the "drum language" of the native of the Cumeroons, on the 'West African coast. By means of this wonderful system sys-tem of transmitting sounds tho most complicated com-plicated messages can be conveyed to villages vil-lages in the most distant parts. In prnc-tismgtbis prnc-tismgtbis unique system of sound language a peculiarly shaped drum is used. 13y di-yidmRtlio di-yidmRtlio surface of the drum head into unaypu porUous, tlie instrument, upon being be-ing struck, umy bo muda to yield two distinct dis-tinct notes, lly these, nnd shortening or lengthening tho intervals between each note, a oodo la established with a regular nequenco of taps, strokes and Interval! capable of expressing every syllable In their primitive language. All of the natives understand this code, and so elaborate is it thut a chief can by its uiean-s summon to his presence any villager tvliotn ho desires to see, intimating to tbo lnt Lor at Hie sniup till!" thp purpose for which hla prescneo Is ruqulrnd. 'In thjs way, too, messages can be sent from village vil-lage to village over wide stretches of country, coun-try, the drummer in one hum let tninsmit-tiug tninsmit-tiug to (,) next the signals he hears, and thut with tiie most extraordinary rapidity. St. Louis Republic. |