BALALAIKA  , a stringed

instrument said to have retained its primitive form unchanged, very popular in Russia among the peasants, more especially in Ukraine . The instrument has a triangular soundboard to which is glued a vaulted back, forming a body having a triangular base, enabling it to stand upright . To the body is added a fretted neck strung with two, three or four strings, generally so tined as to produce a minor chord when sounded together . The strings are generally plucked with the fingers, but the peasants obtain charming glissando " effects by sweeping the strings lightly one after the other with the fingers or side of the hand . The Balalaika is common to the Slav races, who use it to accompany their folk-songs and dances . It is also to be seen in the hands of gipsies at rural festivities and fairs .