Serpent

Serpent, a powerful bass musical wind-instrument, now almost obsolete. It consists of a wooden tube about 8 ft. in length, gradually increasing in diameter from the monthpiece to the open end, and twisted, so as to resemble a serpent. It is covered with leather, and has a mouthpiece resembling that of a horn or trombone. It was invented by a French priest at Auxerre in 159O.