A FEW NOTES ON WATER DIVINING. 



By W. Ixc.HAM, MT.C.E., M.I.Aiech.E. 



It is not within the scope of this sliort paper to deal with the 

 class of individuals carrying' out this work, but rather with the 

 power they are supposed to possess of tinding water. The sub- 

 ject of water divining has been investigated by Professor Barrett, 

 F.R.S., of Dublin University, and by Professor J. Wertheimer, 

 B.Sc, F.C.S., of the Merchant \'enturers' Technical College, 

 Bristol, and their conclusions are submitted for consideration. 



In his book, "Psychical Research," published in 191 1, Pro- 

 fessor Barrett, F.R.S., says that 



A dowser requires to be tested before he can be relied upon, and it is 

 always better, before sinking a well, to have the independent evidence of 

 more than one water-hnder, for the dozvser is by no Jiieans infallible, 

 though he generally thinks he is. 



The ct^nclusions arrived at by the Professor are as follows: — 



(a) That those wlio really possess the faculty of divining are rare, 

 and many pretenders exist. 



(b) The involuntary motion of the forked twig, which occurs with 

 certain persons is due to a muscular spasm that may be excited 

 in different ways. 



{c} The explanation of the success of good dowsers, after pro- 

 longed and crucial tests is a matter for further physiological and 

 psychological research, though provisionally we may entertain 

 the working hypotliesis suggested, z'ic.. unconscious clairvoy- 

 ance. 



Professor Wertlieimer states in his report that he requested 

 all the well-known diviners in Great Britain to take part in the 

 test. He points out, however, that the best knov^m diviners, such 

 as Chesterinan, (iataker, Mullin.s and Tomkins, declined to take 

 part in the tests. Another diviner, named Kerslake, who origin- 

 ally consented to underg(5 various tests, declined when asked to 

 fix a date. 



Professor Wertheimer says in jiaragraph 4 of his re]x:>rt : — ■ 



The main object of the tests described below was to ascertain whether 

 or not the movements of the dowser's rod, or the sensations he experiences, 

 are due to any cause exterior to himself; an experimental investigation 

 in regard to this seemed necessary "l:)efore any attempt to ascertain the 

 nature of the alleged external influence. 



My attitude of mind in regard to the matter was quite neutral ; for, 

 while 1 should have been glad if the results of the experiments had shewn 

 that there was a new unknown external force I was, on the other hand, 

 fully aware of the possibility of persons misleading themselves in such 

 matters, and mistaking subjective for ol)jective effects. 



Professor Wertheimer goes on to say: — 



I sliould like to add at the outset that I do not in any way doubt the 

 absolute honesty of every dowser, amateur and professional, with zvhom I 

 have up to nozv had the pleasure of experimenting. They showed their 

 belief in their own powers by consenting to submit them to a test. 



Before proceeding to give an account of the experiments, it may be 

 added tliat in all cases special precautions were taken to avoid the possi. 



