Castanets

a pair of wooden rattles. The name is derived from castania, the Latin name for chestnut, from the wood of which castanets are not infrequently made. Castanets are shaped not unlike the two halves of an oyster shell, only they are shallower, and more nearly circular. They are tied together loosely by a string and hung over the thumb, so that they fall within the palm of the hand. When the hand is shaken the castanets strike against the half closed fingers making a tremulous sound. They are played as an accompaniment to the guitar or to mark the time of dancers. It is supposed that their use was introduced by the Moors. They are still in favor among the peasants of Portugal, Spain, and southwestern France. More out of curiosity they have been introduced into English-speaking countries for concerts and the like.