THE DIVINING-ROD 385 



The forked twig (virgula furcata of the alchemists) 

 used by water-finders has another significance and history. 

 The forked twig is held, one branch in one hand and the 

 other branch in the other hand, by the explorer. After 

 a time, as the explorer walks along, the twig suddenly, 

 and even vigorously, " plunges " or " ducks " as he holds 

 it. It seems to do so " of its own accord." The old 

 English word " douse " signifies ducking, dipping, or 

 plunging. The forked twig " douses." Hence the 

 persons who use it are called " dousers." The belief is 

 widespread that this dousing or plunging of the forked 

 twig is caused by the presence of a vein of metallic ore 

 in the ground, or in other cases by the presence of sub- 

 terranean water. It is interesting to ascertain what 

 grounds there are for this belief. 



The dousing-rod or twig is first mentioned in the 

 fifteenth century by a writer on alchemy (Basil Valentine), 

 and in 1546 by Agricola (De re metallica), who says it 

 must be either of willow or hazel, and describes its use in 

 the discovery of metalliferous veins and subterranean 

 water. The purely fantastic belief on which its use 

 was based was part of the doctrine of " sympathies." 

 It was supposed that the branches of certain plants were 

 drawn to certain "sympathetic" metals in the earth 

 beneath them a supposition suggested by the down- 

 ward growth or " weeping " of the branches of trees and 

 bushes in some cases. By the Germans the forked twig 

 used in searching for metals or water was called " Schlag- 

 ruthe," which has the same meaning as " dousing " or 

 "plunging" or "striking rod." It was introduced into 

 England by German miners who were employed in the 

 time of Queen Elizabeth by merchant venturers in work- 

 ing the Cornish mines '-and it has remained with us 

 ever since though one hears little at the present day of 



25 



