an instrument of music, the simplest of all those of the wind kind. It is played on by blowing it with the mouth, and the tones or notes are changed by stopping and opening the holes disposed for that purpose along its side.

German Flute, is an instrument entirely different from the common flute. It is not, like that, put into the mouth to be played, but the end is stopp'd with a tampon or plug; and the lower lip is applied to a hole about two inches and a half, or three inches, distant from the end. This instrument is usually about a foot and a half long; rather bigger at the upper end than the lower; and perforated with holes, besides that for the mouth, the lowest of which is stopp'd and opened by the little finger's pressing on a brass or sometimes a silver key, like those in hautboys, bassoons, &c. Its sound is exceeding sweet and agreeable; and serves as a treble in a concert.

Coarse flutes, on importation, pay the gros, containing twelve dozen, 3s. 10½ d. and on exportation draw back 3s. 4½ d.

Flutes, or Flutings. See Architecture.