68 USE OF THE DIVINING HOD. 



Somersetshire in " jN'otes and Queries," vol. X., 1854, and 

 adjoining volumes. Some of the correspondents fancied it was an 

 honest and true proceeding, and by ta.cking on to it the words 

 '* mesmeric influence " found it palatable enough for their mental 

 digestion. 



"We may allude here to a point that seems not unworthy of 

 mention. The dowsers whom we saw, held the rod downwards 

 and caused it to turn upwards towards the face. IS'ow in all the 

 published descriptions which we have come across, the rod is 

 held horizontally, and the sign of the presence of metals or 

 water is, that it turns violently downwards, and points towards 

 such. The theory being that the metal or vein exercised such a 

 powerful influence over the twig as to attract it downwards. 

 IsTow it is of course impossible, the bare mention of it is absurd, 

 that up to this time metals or water should attract the fork, but 

 that in 1873 it should rejjel the same ; or that they should attract 

 it in one place and repel it in another. 



Such is a most incongruous result. It is quite certain that no 

 one with any scientific training could receive such a theory for a 

 moment. 



In relation to this point we may quote Agricola who wrote in 

 the begining of the 1 6th century. He gives a full account of 

 the way the rod was used, and it is interesting as not only being 

 an early but a clear history. We translate shortly some of his 

 words. ^'' 



' ' There are many and great contentions about the forked rod ; 

 some say it is of the greatest use in finding veins, others deny it. 

 Those who approve of it recommend a hazel twig, specially if it 

 has grown over any vein. 



Some use difi'erent woods for difierent metals, e.g. hazel for 

 silver veins, ash for copper, fir for lead, a fork of steel or iron 

 for gold. 



The branches of the fork are held by the hands which are 



* G. Agricola. "De Re MetaUica," liber 2. 



