or CISTRUM, a kind of ancient musical instrument used by the priests of Isis and Osiris. It is described by Spor as of an oval form, in manner of a racket, with three sticks traversing it breadthwise; which playing freely by the agitation of the whole instrument, yielded a kind of sound which to them seemed melodious. Mr Maleon takes the sistrum to be no better than a kind of rattle. Ophelius observes, that the sistrum is found represented on several medals, and on talismans.