Page:Science vol. 5.djvu/68

 [Toi- T., No. 101

��might be good aubjecU for hypnotic experiraeniB. mther thaii employ the profeBuloiiata, many of whom are doubtless tricksters. He referreil to the wide in- terest which is exhibited now throughout the whole world in the proiecuiion of psychicul research.

The coniniittee on work, or auggeations as to poast- ble work, stateil that they had sent out circulars to the members of the society, calling (or volunteers as members of the InvcstlgBlIng committees; that they had received a number of answers; that the most of them were from those specially Interested in (hoDgbt- traiisference; and they recommende conBne as far as possible the possibility of j^essing correctly what is In a person's mind by mere chance, the object thought of should nut be too simple; that is, if it is a ligure, it should not be a circle, or a square, or harp-shaped. A word WHS suggested as a suitable thing to think of, or any one of the digits from one to ten.

There was a lengthy discuasion, In which Drs, Minot and Bowditch, Professor Pickering, Co!. Hig- ginson, Dr. James, and others, took part. Many of the speakers advocated the employment of profession- als, saying that it was nearly impossible, with many would-be honest mind-readers, to t«ll where their real power ended, and where fraud began. It was stnl«d that some of the professionals confess that at times they eked out their powers with a mild deceit. It was felt by many that in testing professionals there would not be any feeling of restraint almut using precautions against fraud; that It would be perfectly understood that all means for getting Ht the truth could rightfully and properly be employed.

For the present the work of the society will be confined largely to experiments on thought-transfer- ence. The committee on work lieailates to recom- mend to the members at large investigations in hypnotism, on account of the danger which would arise when they were carried on by ineiperlenced hands.

��Tbe U. 3. hydrographic office, in pursuance of Its policy to lessen the dangers of navigation, has re- cently commenced the collectiou of Information to determine the best manner of using oil to calm the surface of troubled waters.

This matter lias long been a subject of contro- versy. In 1844 a Dutch commission, after pouring a few gallons of oil on the storm- be al«n bosom of the

��unlcaied by Cspt, J. R. E

��it hydrogisphor

��North Sea, and finding the waves ut sensibly affected declared that the oft-repeated account of the saving of ships by this means was a fantastic creation of the imagination. Notwithstanding this, Scotch coasters have saved themselves again and again by strewing the sea with the fatty parts of fish, cut into small pieces, which were carried with them for the pur- pose; and so much reliable information on this subject has now been collected from the common experience of seafaring men, that the evidence in its favor can no longer be controverted.

It must be understood, however, that the use of oil does not make the surface perfectly smooth, but merely lessens the dangerous effect of what the sea- man calla ' combers,' or the great broken, rolling masses of water which have first disable<l and then swamped so many sliips since man first began to go down to the sea.

A ca»e lately reported of the use of oil Is that of the steamship Thomas Melville, while running before a gale iu February, 1834. when she was constantly boarded by heavy seas. As h'er situation became more and more critical, it was determined to try what effect oil would have upon the water. Two canvas bags holding about a gallon were made, therefore, punctured in many places with a sail-needle, and filled with oil. These bags were bung over the bows, and allowed to drag in the water. The seas tio longer came on board, and the safety of Ihe vessel was secured. The bags were refilled every four hours.

The application of oil to the quieting of water at the entrances of harbors is one that has received very considerable attention; and credit is due to Uessrs. Shields and Gordon of England for their enei^ and enterprise, as well as for the thought, time, and money expended in endeavoring to establish Its use, and in bringing the subject Into prominent notice.

At Folkestone, Eng., Mr. ShieUls's apparatus con- sisted of three lai^e casks placed on shore at th - end of the old mole. These were connected by pipes with smalt hand-pumps, each of which was worked by one man. Two lead pipes about an Inch and a quarter in diameter extended from the casks along the bottom, through the entrance to the harbor, about 2,SS0 feet toward's Shakespeare's Cliff. At intervals of every hundred feet, vertical pipes were soldered to the main pipes; and In the former were placed con- ical valves properly protected from mud and slime by

Unfortunately, on Ihe day set apart fur a pulillc ex- hibition the weather was not entirely favorable; that is to say, the wind was not from the right direction. The sea, however, was sulBclently disturbed to show the working of the apparatus. When the oil was pumped through the tubes, it soon showed its effect upon the surface; and this became more apparent as the amount of oil was increased.

A broad glassy atrip was soon distinguished which was more than a half-mile long. A fully manned life- boat, which was sent into the oil-covered strips of water, was tossed about in a lively manner, but took In no spray. Meanwhile the sea outside of the strip was everywhere breaking into white caps. After

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