Arizona republican., 1917-07-08
WITCH ROD USED
 T0 FIND WATER
 AND TREASURE

The idea that a forked twig, or so- called divining rod, is useful in locating minerals, finding hidden treasure or detecting criminals is a curious super stition that has been a subject of dis cussion since the middle of the six teenth century, and still has a strong hold on the popular mind, even in this country. says the Los Angeles Times This is evident from the large number of inquiries received each year by the United States Geological Survey de- partment of the interior, as to the ef- ficacy of such twigs. especially for To- eating underground water
 It Is doubtful whether so much in- vestigation and discussion have been bestowed on any other subject with such absolute lack of positive results It is difficult to see how for practical pur- poses the entire matter could be more thoroughly discredted It is by no means true that all persons using a forked twig or other divice for locating water or other minerals are intentional deceivers. Some of them are doubtless men of good character and benevolent intentions However, as anything that can be deeply yelled in mystery affords a good opportunity for sWnders, there can be no reasonable doubt that many of the large group of professional find CTS of water, oil or other minerals who take pay for their services" or for the sale of their instruments are deliber- ately defrauding the people. and that the total amount of money they obtain is large. To all inquiries the United States Geological Survey therefore gives the advice not to expend any money for the services of any water witch or for the use or purchase of any machine or instrument devised for locating underground water or other minerals.
 In tracing the history of the subject, it is found that divining rods have been nsed CD to locate ore deposits. CD to discover buried or hidden treasure f3) to find lost landmarks and re-estabiish property boundaries. 4) to detect crim- inals. (5) to analyZe personal character, f6) to cure disease f7) to trace lost or strayed domestic animals (S) to in sure immunity against ill-fortune by use as fetish, f9) to locate well sites, 00) to trace the courses of under ground streams. CID to determine the amount of water available by drilling at given spot, 12) to determine the depth at which water or ores occur, 13) to determine the direction of car dinal points. l14 to determine the height of trees. G5) to analyZe ores and water
 The origin of the superstition is lost in antiquity. What is believed to he the first published description of the divin- ing rod is contained in Georgius Agri- cola's De re Metallica" which was published in 1856. The device became common first in Germany as a means for locating mines. and also for discov- ering buried treasure, a matter of rath- CT common interest in those days, when the practice of burying money and plate for safe keeping was very general. It was introduced into England by Ger man miners during the reign of Eliza beth 155S-1603). and before the end of the seventeenth century it had spread through the countries of Europe. Ev- anywhere is arounsed controversy. The rule prescrobed for the cutting of the twigs partook largely of heather sorce- ry and astrOlogy There were indeed, to some extent. unconscious remini- scences of the pld Scandinavian, and even of the Aryan mythology.
 But this heather influence was offset when the rod was duly Chistianized by baptism, being laid for this purpose in the bed with newly baptized child, by whose Christian name it was afterward addressed. It is readily conceivable that the motive for surrounding this practice with religious atmosphere might not have been altogether a belief in it's di- vine character. for at that time any one found engaged in mysterious works was in danger of being charged with sorcery and burned to death
 The divining rod continued to be favorite subject with alchemistic writ CTS until about 1860. when a new turn of affairs was brought about by a Jesuit father. who denounced 1t as an instrument controlled by the devil The subject was then taken up by the church, and for more than 100 years it was hotly debated by churchmen Some a anYlroyad of if and Q ttharizad itS ,,co oy,