PHILOMEL (Fr. Philomele; Ger. Philomele or Stahlgeige)  , a musical instrument similar to the violin, but having four steel, wire strings . The philomel has a body with incurvations similar to those of the guitar; therefore, without corner blocks, the out-line of the upper lobe forms a wavy shoulder reminiscent of the viols but more ornate and fanciful . The peg-box sometimes terminates in a fancy head instead of. a scroll . The philomel, never used in the orchestra, is the instrument of the dilettanti, frequently played in Germany with the bowed zither . The accordance of the philomel is the same as for the violin; the timbre is shrill and crystal-like . There is also an alto philomel corresponding to the viola . The bowed melodion is similar to the philomel, and has four steel strings of the same accordance as the violin, but arranged in inverse order; instead of being held like the violin and philomel, under the chin, it is placed on the knees of the performer, so that a hook under the finger-board rests against the table . (K .