Duaine Hechler asks about the hurdy-gurdy.  We have many of these
in France.  They can be very beautiful with their veneers, mother of
pearl, ebony  and ivory.  The old ones often turn up in antique fairs.
They are still making them here as there are still many people that
can play them.  They sound (to me) rather like bagpipes.  You can find
info at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurdy_gurdy

All the best from Normandy (the land of milk and cider) in France.
Alan Whytock