an ancient kind of trumpet, originally formed of a spiral shell. It is very difficult to distinguish it from the cornu or horn, unless it was somewhat smaller, and not quite so curved; yet it certainly was of a different species, since we never read of the cornu in use with the watch, but only the buccina. In Scripture, a similar instrument, used both in war and in the temple, was called ram's-horn, kiren jobel, and sepheroth hagigobelinum. It was used among the Jews to proclaim their feast-days, new moons, jubilees, sabbatical years, and the like. At Lacedaemon, notice was given by the buccina when it was supper time; and at Rome it was used to proclaim the watches of the day and night; also at funerals, and at the commencement and at the conclusion of a festive entertainment. The sound of the buccina was called buccinum, or bucinus; and the musician who played on it buccinator. (See Bianchini, De Mus. Instrumentis Veteribus.)