New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-08-24
7 Arouse thee, beaul
The Dixininx-Rod.

The art of discovering water courses under the
surface of the earth by means of green rod newly
cut from the peach, hazel or cherry tree has been
known in Europe for several years. 1t is said the
discovery wa. made in Germany, but by whom is
uncertain. Until very late period it his been
considered an imposture, and ranked with the
arts of magicians and other vain pretenders to
mysterious powers. This opinion of the power OF
the divining-rod or magic wand, as it has been
termed, has undoubtedly arisen from the fact thar
in the hands of many persons the action of the rod
is wholly inperceptible, while in others the at
traction of the water, especially if it be near the
surface and the vein large, is surprisingly great
When the wand is of brittle nature the attract
i've power is so forcible frequently to break it,
From the numerous experiments made INF France.
since the commencement of the present century,
by Thouvenel and other men of science, the claims
of the divining rod are found to rest well knows
material powers. The art of finding water by its
means is we'll established and promises to be Of
great utility TO our country. The theory explain
ing the phenomena Of the magic wand supposes
that the water forms with the earth above it, and
the fluids of the human body, a galoanic circle
This circle is less perfect, the and
condition of the body of the operator qualities
be better or worse conductor of the galvanic fluid
The human body is one of the best conductors yet
discovered, and weakly or debilitated persons are
said to be better conductors than persons in
sound health and the attraction is greatest
when the skin is wet, particularly the hands and
arms. Salt water, weak solution of the mu
ratio acid are the best fluids for moistening the
skin. The effect will be increased if the operator
be barefooted, his feet and hands having been pre-
viously watted with either Of the aforesaid fluids
but if he have silk gloves silk stockings on, the
rod will not be suspended by an electric or in i'm
mediate contact with an electric no attraction will
be felt, and the degree of attraction varies as any
substances lying between the water and the hand
of the operator more or less adapted to con-
duct the galvanic fluid.
Such are some of the facts stated by writers on
the subject but of the reality Of the powers attr
buted to the diviring we now need no foreign
authorities to carry conviction every intelligent
mind We have in this city several operators
men of the most unqIestionable character whose
powers have been tested by the severest scrutiny,
and who have never failed to convince the NEST
incredulous. The writer has known several stou,
unbelievers thrown into the most ludicrous pre-
dicament by suddenly discovering that they them
selves were among the magic, and had all the pow
Of the best wa:er-6nders. The powers of tn,
magic wand being natural powers, it only re
quires that tho natural means be present in any in
dividual to produce the necessary result
Any person may discover whether or not he ha
the powers of water-fnder by the following ex
pertinent: Let him cut branch of peach o
cherry tree having fork with two twigs of
length and thickness nearly equal, and sende
enough to be quite flexible. Informed correctl,
will nearly represent the letter Y. Let him TAX,
the small ends of the twigs one in his right hane
and one in his left, and hold it 50 that the mai,
branch, where the fork begins, shall be uppermos
and nearly perpendicular to the EARTH but It'll,
incliaing forward. Holding it in this position, lie
him walk slowly and carefully over the grounc
where water is to be sought for, and if the body o
the operator be good galvanic conductor, tn
wand when over vein Of water that is near til
surface, will be drawn forward and downward witt
considerable force; and ifthe vein be large it will
point directly down 10 the earth The causes @
this phenomenon being natural, and invarable a
tine principle OF gravltaton, water will alaeays b.
found nearer the surface Of the earth when thu
indicated by the diyning- rod, than in other places
Delaware Journal