162 
STONE FLOUR. 
year, (744 of the Christian era,) a miraculous fountain sprung 
from the ground, the stones decomposed and were changed 
into flour." This text is accompanied by a wood cut, which 
represents the fountain flowing in cascades and the stones di- 
viding into threads ; but they are so incorrectly marked that 
we cannot assimilate them to any mineralogical formation. 
Under the emperor Hian-Tsong, of the same dynasty, in the 
period Yuen-ho, fourth year, (A. D. 809,) the stones decom- 
posed and became flour. Under the emperor Tching-Tsong, 
of the dynasty of Soung, period Tsiang-fou, fifth year, (A. D. 
1012,) there was produced, from stone, a substance like flour. 
Under Jin-Tsong, period Kia-yeou, seventh year, (1062,) stone 
flour was produced or grew. Under Tchi-Tsong, period 
Yuen-fong, third year, (10S0,) the stones were decomposed 
and became flour. Every kind of stone flour was gathered and 
eaten by the poor. 
The following is what is written in 1834 by the missiona- 
ry in China, M. Mathieu-Ly, established in the province of 
Kiang-si.* The facts which he describes are reported for 1834, 
and the three preceding years, so that they coincide with those 
cited by M. Retzins for Laponia. 
" Many of us Christians would certainly have died of famine 
this year. God alone could have relieved such extensive 
want ; the whole harvest had been carried off by the overflow 
of the rivers. For three years an infinite number of persons 
were sustained by the bark of certain species of trees which 
are found in this country ; others ate a light earth of a white 
color, which had been discovered in the mountains. This 
earth was worth its weight in silver, and all could not procure 
it. The people at first sold their wives, their sons, and daugh- 
ters, afterwards their household utensils and moveables, and 
finally demolished their houses to sell the materials thereof." 
Another missionary, M. Rameur, writing from the province 
Hon-Kouang, in the middle of the year 1834. gives no less de- 
plorable details. 
* Ann. de la Propag. de la Fois., Sep, 1836. 
