viii.] TABLE-TIPPERS. 123 



lever. But, as a matter of fact, the pointer descended, 

 showing that the weight or downward pull at the end 

 of the lever supported by the balance had been 

 increased by from three to six pounds. In order 

 still further to guard against the possibility of 

 Mr. Home's exerting any muscular action on the 

 board, Mr. Crookes placed a glass vessel full of 

 water over the centre of the fulcrum, " and by means 

 of an iron stand, quite detached from all the rest of 

 the apparatus, a vessel of copper was held so that it 

 dipped into the water without touching the sides of 

 the glass vessel, the bottom of the copper vessel being 

 perforated with holes, in consequence of which it was 

 partially filled with water. . . . When Mr. Home 

 placed his hands inside the copper vessel, any force 

 passing through his hands had to traverse the water, 

 hence no muscular action of his could have any effect 

 upon the spring-balance. With the apparatus thus 

 arranged, the lever oscillated as in his previous ex- 

 periment, the average strain registered being three 

 or four pounds." 



Such were the phenomena to explain which Mr. 

 Crookes invoked the assistance of an unknown some- 

 thing which it pleased his fancy to call " psychic 

 force," while his companion, Dr. Huggins, mor e 

 wisely declined to express any opinion. In con- 



