Musical Stones

Abstract

WHEN roaming over the hills and rocks in the neighbourhood of Kendal, which are composed chiefly of mountain limestone, I have often found what we call here “musical stones.” They are generally thin flat weather-beaten stones, of different sizes and peculiar shapes, which when struck with a piece of iron or another stone, produce a distinct musical tone, instead of the dull heavy leaden sound of any ordinary stone. The sound of these stones is, in general, very much alike, but I know gentlemen who possess sets of eight stones which are said to produce, when struck, a distinct octave. Being only an amateur geologist, I am unable to account for this fact, and would be glad if any of your numerous readers would take the trouble to explain to me, through the medium of your columns, the peculiar composition of the stone in question, and the distinct qualifications nencessary to form a musical stone.