or Alto-Viola, an instrument of the violin kind, larger than an ordinary violin, and furnished with four gut-strings, the third and fourth of these being covered with silver-plated copper-wire. It originated from the viola di braccio, one of the ancient set of viols used in concerts. The English call it the tenor-violin, or simply the tenor. Its name of alto-violin is derived from its music being written in the alto-clef on the third line of the stave. It is tuned C, G, D, A, an octave above the violoncello. For its compass and use in orchestra, &c., see Music. (G.F.G.)

Viola d'Amore, an instrument no longer in use, but of which the tone and effect are said to have been very sweet and singular. It was played with a bow, and seems to have varied in the number of its strings and in its tuning. One species of it is described as having five gut-strings, and five metal wires tuned in unison with the strings, but passing under the finger-board and bridge, and thus vibrating only as open wires, to arpeggios or harmonics, &c., played upon the open gut-strings. The principle of this instrument seems to have been revived in the construction of some recent musical instruments. (G.F.G.)

Viola di Gambo, a musical instrument no longer in use, but which was the immediate predecessor of the violoncello. A clever musician, C. F. Abel, in the last century, threw away his fine talents upon this nasal and ungrateful instrument. A good viola di gambo affords excellent wood materials for making a fine tenor-violin. (G.F.G.)