The Mystery of Indian Fakirism. 39 



training the breath, the lecturer referred to the erroneous 

 anatomical and physiological notions of the Hindoos in general 

 and the Yogins in particular — notions on which the whole of 

 their system was based. The object of the various practices 

 seemed to be to concentrate the breath at a mysterious spot at 

 the crown of the head corresponding to the anterior fontanelle, 

 but by these practices the Yogin was supposed to acquire also 

 various superhuman faculties. When the aspirant has thus 

 carefully trained himself he may proceed to the concentration 

 of his mind on different mystic sounds, and he will then attain 

 what he imagines to be the final salvation, but what is really 

 nothing more than a cataleptic state. The lecturer concluded 

 by pointing to the probability of these phenomena being of a 

 hypnotic character. 



The hearty thanks ot the audience were accorded to Mr. 

 Walter, on the motion of Dr. Sheldon, seconded by Professor 

 Purser. 



Professor FitzGerald, b.a., a.m.i.c.e. (Queen's College), 

 followed with a Paper under the title of " Contouring with 

 Barometer in Mourne Mountains," which was illustrated by 

 diagrams and maps. The learned professor has made a careful 

 investigation of this most attractive portion of County Down, 

 and the results of his survey of the mountains had a special 

 significance on account of the fact that it is from the many 

 springs in which they abound that Belfast will for generations 

 to come derive its water supply. 



