From Greek σῦριγξ
(syrinx) meaning "tube" or "panpipes", referring to a musical instrument played by mouth and comprising tubes arranged in order of length. In Greek myth this was the name of a nymph and follower of
Artemis, the virgin huntress. Syrinx was pursued by the god
Pan, and in an attempt to escape, she ran to the river's edge and asked the river nymphs for assistance. The river nymphs transformed her into hollow river reeds. Devastated, Pan cut the reeds from the water and fastened them into the first set of panpipes (or pan flute, or shepherd's pipe), which were thenceforth known as syrinx.