The ^y Singing Stones'" near Macao. 407 



torrent, wlilcli is dammed off, and drives a number of Cliinese 

 mills with tlie small water-courses. In the background of 

 this valley lies the mysterious spot. The marvel itself 

 presently became visible in a large expanse of syenite rock, 

 greatly resembling that in the Oderwald of Hesse. Some of 

 these have been tilted on the others, and the hard syenite 

 resounds when struck with a hammer, just as a block of 

 marble or basalt vibrates when struck, with a bell-like sound. 

 These musical blocks therefore ai'e but little interesting, 

 unless that the Cliinese make use of them to sculpture the 

 figures of lions and tigers to adorn the entrances of their 

 temples. 



After a stay of two days in Macao, the naturalists returned 

 to Hong-kong, where they had to devote the little time that 

 would elapse ere the frigate sailed to sorting and packing 

 the collections, and arranging for their transmission : for 

 the manipulation of packing is, as Humboldt well remarked, 

 as important as actual science in such undertakings. That 

 naturalist confers but a small boon on science, whose only 

 care is to collect, but who takes no pains to preserve, the fruits 

 of his labour, by an exact indication of the place where found, 

 and such special particulars as may prevent mistakes, and 

 by carefully guarding against damage to the objects about 

 to be sent, while on their way. 



The kind reception and hospitality of our new friends 

 in Hong-kong remained undiminished to the very last moment 

 of our stay. We were faii^ly overwhelmed with attentions of 



