Dodge City times., 1877-07-07
The Use Of the Divining. Rod.


I the question of the divining-rod belong,
to the forum of superstition. Without
going at length over the ground of m,
experience in the matter, wish to draw
attention to the useful purposes the rod
can serve, and particularly to the points
which science might take hold of to
solve other questions in the mysterious
field of electricity, to which l ascribe
the rods action.
ANY substance which is good con-
ductor of electricity, whether shaped AS
a fork or simply as single rod, will
serve as a divining-rod. With stiff
iron rod the pulsations are felt, but not
seen. A forked copper wire is perhaps
the most sensitive and the best for prac-
teal ues. The reason for the action
seems TO be this: There are veins in the
earth, of water and other substances,
which are superior conductors, and dis
tribute electricity through the earth
The operator and these veins being diff
ferently charged, when the outer end of
the rod and such a vein in the ground
occupy in relation to each other certain
positions, an interchange or equaliza-
ton of electricity takes place. These
relative positions seem TO be in certain
radial lines (probably radiai to the CEN
ter of the earth), and no interchange
will take place outside of these lines,
even at so small distance as half an
inch.
Wherever an interchange does take
place it does so at three points about
nine inches apart, but not at any place
between or outside of these points or ra-
dial lines. The outer end of the rod
during the interchange makes certain
number of vibrations, which indicate the
distance TO the vein as well as the differ
ent conduction of the intervening ma
terial. In common moist earth every
beat denotes depth of about l0l inches,
40 beats indicating depth of IS feet to.
the vein. In certain kinds of rock each
beat denotes as much as q feet of depth.
After the end of the rod has made a part
one side quarter of an inch or more,
the interchange is not only stopped, but
when again placed in one of the three
radial lines the rod recommences dc no
10 and performs the whole number of
vibrations due TO the locality. Spread
ing out silk handkerchief or placing
pane of glass under the end of the rod
prevents its action The action in a Gel
lar and in the upper part of the house
appears TO be nearly the same, the small
if any, being due to the adj
ditional intervening material and to its
degree of cOnductivity.
While, on the one hand, have traced
a vein of water within three feet of an
attempted well ninety feet deep on hill,
and located suitable spot for well,
ample water was found within half a
foot of the indicated depth of sixteen
feet, and have also pointed out, in an
well spot on its side
where rock was tapped and the water
on the other hand, / failed
vice to reach water, finding, instead,
ilso form conductors of electricity.
Where precious metals lie in continu-
,us veins, their course might be traced
,ut in this manner. Leakages in water
ervice pipes of cities may thus be readi-
y discovered. Such veins can be fol-
owed at a good pace. A simple electric
apparatus might be constructed by
which this action would be more accu-
ately indicated, which would serve,
a-ious purposes.
The ban of superstition being once,
from this subject, when lead
ng minds in the science of electricity
hall have recognized it as worthy their
ttention, an important advance in the
of that invisible and all-pow-
rful factor of creation is not unlikely
D be arrived at.