Notes on Water- Divining. 85 



"hands were fixed so that they could not move, outwards or in- 

 wards (while still remaining in actual contact with the fork) 

 that many of the results would be unobtainable. It is of in- 

 terest that I was told of a diviner who was unable to divine 

 after the loss of his thumb! This, to me, means that he could 

 not hold his fork firmly. 



Three later quotations will surely convince even the most 

 sceptical that the matter concerns the psychologist as an interest- 

 ing example of "mind influencing matter" (i.e., the muscles), 

 rather than the geologist or farmer. 2 



(a) The Commission for Water Conservation and Irrigation 

 in Sydney reports (10th June, 1920) : — 



" Of fifty-six bores located with the aid of the divining rod 

 seventy per cent, were successful, while, of ninety-six bores sunk 

 without the aid of the divining rod, eighty-seven per cent, were 

 successful. In view of these practical results, it has been de- 

 cided, after careful consideration, not to make further tests." 



(b) The Government Geologist of South Australia (L. Keith 

 Ward) reports (5th November, 1914) inter alia: — 



" It should be apparent to all that the finding of water at a 

 spot ' indicated ' by the divining rod constitutes no proof at 

 all of the efficacy of the means of locating the water. It is not 

 sufficient to test only the spots ' indicated.' The area wherein 

 ' no indications ' are given by the rod or machine must also be 

 adequately tested before any judgment can be formed. The 

 • only test of this character that has, to my knowledge, been car- 

 ried out in South Australia, is one that was conducted many 

 years ago, on behalf of the South Australian Government, by 

 Mr. T. Parker, in order to test the claims of a man who pro- 

 fessed to be able to locate water with the divining rod. The 

 results of this test showed that water existed throughout the 

 area in which the experiments were carried out, both at the spots 

 "' indicated,' and in intermediate positions where no ' indications ' 

 were given/' 



(c) Finally, the American Geological Survey in 1917 pub- 

 lished a report (by A. J. Ellis) containing this summary of the 

 whole matter: — 



2 To my mind this opinion is confirmed by the fact that the divining - rod has also been used 

 3n all good faith in the past ; to detect or locate (1) Ores, (2) Treasure, (3) Lost Landmarks, (4) 

 Criminals, (5) Strayed Animals : and even to cure diseases and analyse personal character (vide 

 .SSllis in/nn). 



