622 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



The only actual fact in the "magnetism" of the crawfish is the 

 motionless state which follows the strokes in the air. While one con- 

 siders this actual succession, without any examination, to be a myste- 

 rious connection of the " magnetic " influence, so one thinks this non- 

 existing connection to be a real event, and decidedly true. Therefore, 

 I call such events which never took place, none the less circumstances, 

 but, in order to distinguish them from actual ones, I designate them as 

 "viewed unequally." I do this in order to indicate the characteristic 

 circumstance that, in the foundation, something of actuality exists, 

 and thus gives them an appearance of reality. This immediately 

 strikes the person whose judgment is not altogether exact, and can 

 only be removed by a close examination and inspection. This last, 

 however, is not the case with every one, and thus the great powers of 

 reason and prudence which execute these events explain themselves, 

 and also explain the immense role which they play in the history of 

 human error. 



In the so-called magnetizing of the crawfish, the only actual inci- 

 dent is the one already mentioned. This is simple enough, as the craw- 

 fish possesses the remarkable quality of being able to lose the normal 

 excitation and power of acting belonging to its nervous system, and 

 is also capable of supporting itself, when it is placed gently in some 

 particular position, in spite of its former resistance. As to the mag- 

 netic strokes, they have certainly no significance. 



That, however, the actual change of posture in the crawfish does 

 not depend upon a mysterious magnetic fluid, which proceeds from the 

 fingers and hands of the experimenter, is proved by the attempt in 

 which the crawfish is not touched and held by the hand in any way. 

 In this experiment the crawfish is held by a string, and that striking 

 condition of immobility, which lasts some time and then disappears, is 

 just as apparent in it as in the others. 



I will place a loose string around the tail of this crawfish, without 

 moving the animal, draw the ends lightly together, and hang the craw- 

 fish by means of it on this frame. You see how the animal, with its 

 head downward, in vain strives to free itself from its unnatural position. 

 This, however, does not last long. It becomes quiet, and finally hangs 

 completely motionless, as though it had been held firmly in my hand. 

 This continues until it sooner or later begins again to move of its own 

 accord. 



With a glass tube I will roll this second crawfish on its back ; it 

 endeavors to regain its proper position ; but, in consequence of being 

 prevented with the glass tube, it does not succeed. The animal's re- 

 sistance is fruitless ; the tube holds it firmly, and see ! it now remains 

 quiet on its back, and will sooner or later move again of its own 

 accord. 



Now, as in the former experiment, we can no longer speak of a 

 magnetic influence, proceeding from the experimenter, but, neverthe- 



