Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European SavantsFlammarion, Camille
Philosophy
Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
Flammarion, Camille
Parapsychology -- Investigation; Spiritualism
Much more frequently still we obtained balancings without contact,
balancings which sometimes went so far as to tip the table entirely
over. To explain in terms of mechanical movement the effects we
observed, we should have to admit the involuntary contact of 84
fingers, or the light pressure of 25, or two hands acting with intent
to deceive. But these suppositions, also, are not at all admissible.
Nevertheless, we always felt that someone might present the objection
that it was difficult to observe these operations with precision, and
we were constantly urging M. Gasparin to convince the doubters and
sceptics in the matter of the non-contact of the fingers by means of
some mechanical device. Out of this arose the last experiment made at
that time, and the most conclusive of all. A light film of flour was
almost instantaneously spread over the table by means of a sulphur
bellows such as is used in vineyards. The movement of the chain of
hands above the table set it whirling. Then the film of flour was
examined and found to be inviolate from the touch of hands. Several
repetitions on different days always gave the same results.
Such are the principal facts which establish the reality of the
phenomenon. Thury next takes up the more difficult investigation of
courses.
_The Seat of the Force._--It is possible that the force which produces
the phenomena is a general telluric force which is merely transmitted
by the operators or set in action by them; or, possibly, the force
resides in the operators themselves.
To decide this question, we had a large movable platform constructed
which revolved on a perfectly vertical axis. Near the outer periphery
of the platform stood four chairs, and there was a table at the
centre. Four operators, experts in nervo-magnetic action, took their
places on the chairs, and, placing their hands on the table in the
centre, tried to give it circular movement by non-mechanical power. In
fact, the table soon began to move. Then it was stopped and fastened
to the platform by means of three screws. The effort exerted upon this
table by the four magnetizers was such that, at the end of
three-quarters of an hour of experimentation, the central supporting
leg, was broken. Yet the movable platform did not turn. The tangential
force required to mechanically move the empty platform was only a few
grams; loaded with the four operators, 250 grams was necessary,
applied about 28 inches from the centre. This figure would have been
much less if it had been possible to distribute the weight of the
operators uniformly.
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