REED (Fr. Anche; Ital. Ancia; Germ. Blätt, Rohr). The speaking part of many instruments, both ancient and modern; the name being derived from the material of which it has been immemorially constructed. This is the outer silicious layer of a tall grass, the Arundo Donax or Sativa, growing in the South of Europe. The substance in its rough state is commonly called ‘cane,
’ though differing from real cane in many respects. The chief supply is now obtained from Fréjus on...
