THE DIVINING BOD. 
117 
however, it was the general opinion that the dowser was 
mistaken. Dr. Border and myself are positive that every time 
the rod turned we plainly discovered a corresponding movement 
in the fingers of the dowser. Not only Mr. Young, but Mr. 
Lawrence, a dowser of great local reputation, lay great stress on 
the fact, as they assert, that the movements of the rod are not 
governed by the movements of the fingers, and also that it turns 
independently of their volition, in fact, even in spite of their 
willing to the contrary. As to their volition of course I am 
unable to speak, but I am confident, from what I observed, that 
the sole immediate cause for the turning of the rod is to be 
found in the muscular contractions of the hand of the operator. 
We found Mr. Young very frank and communicative ; one of 
his statements was to the effect that when the dowser walks 
backwards over the water he is in search of the rod turns down- 
wards, while on walking forwards,, it always turns upwards ! A 
psychical fact so extraordinary that it seems worth while to put 
it on record. Mr. Young showed a close acquaintance with the 
ways and habits of underground water. He told us that in the 
district about Locking it always flowed from east to west ; 
moreover he actually showed us the natural spring from which 
the underground w^ater issued which he had previously sunk 
upon at a point nearer its source, to obtain a supply for an 
adjacent farmhouse. With so much real knowledge the use of 
the ‘‘ rod ” seemed superfluous, so I ventured to inquire whether 
he would regard it as morally wrong to make use of his evidently 
practical knowledge to assist him in the discovery of springs. 
He replied, certainly not, but that “ he would be nowhere without 
his rod.” 
We were now to put the dowser’s skill to a practical test. A 
field on the alluvial plain, which extends from Locking to the 
Bristol Channel, was selected for the experiment, and on this 
the dowser ” was to indicate two spots, one beneath which 
