Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed. Words printed in italics are noted with underscores: _italics_. THE DIVINING ROD: VIRGULA DIVINA--BACULUS DIVINATORIUS (WATER-WITCHING.) BY CHARLES LATIMER, CIVIL ENGINEER. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."--_Shakespeare._ CLEVELAND, O, FAIRBANKS, BENEDICT & CO., PRINTERS, 1876. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by CHARLES LATIMER, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. AN ESSAY READ BEFORE THE CIVIL ENGINEERS' CLUB OF THE NORTHWEST, AT CHICAGO, FEB. 1, 1875. PREFACE. My Essay on the "Divining Rod," (_vulgus_, "Water-Witching,") having proved interesting to a number of my friends, I have concluded to give it to the public, with the hope that some useful practical results may be derived from it. I have no apology to make for presenting this subject in a serious light. I regard it as one strictly in the domain of science, and, therefore, worthy of the consideration of scientific men. I have no fear of ridicule, knowing for myself and "not for another," that what is here presented is the truth. To those who seek absolute truth, I need not recommend a reading of these pages. To those who merely live by science, drawing their sustenance from it as from the "convenient cow," as Goethe says, I will simply say, imprison yourselves, gentlemen, in your shell; the world will move quite as well without you. I add a number of notes from various sources to which I had not access before writing my own experience. ABOUT "WATER-WITCHING." (WHAT I KNOW.) I have always observed that when any novelty is presented for the consideration of man, which is not readily proven by already well known scientific laws, or which may not be demonstrated by the knowledge and power of most persons, it is found extremely difficult, if not impossible, to gain the attention of the devotee of science. Whether, indeed, it be from lack of interest, from incredulity, or from the fear of ridicule, or from any other cause, we look with distrust upon anything which is not in harmony with our preconceived ideas or theories, and we are apt to raise the cry of humbug or superstition, and reject, with a contemptuous assumption of superiority as unbelievers, propositions which properly put to the test might prove of value to mankind.