The Divining Rod: Virgula Divina—Baculus Divinatorius (Water-Witching)

"The Divining Rod: Virgula Divina—Baculus Divinatorius (Water-Witching)" by Charles Latimer is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The book explores the phenomenon of water-witching, specifically examining the use of the divining rod, typically a forked branch, to locate underground water or minerals. Latimer defends the practice against claims of superstition by presenting personal experiences and experimental data, aiming to position dowsing within the realm of scientific inquiry. In the book, Latimer details numerous experiments in which he and others used divining rods to detect subterranean water. He recounts specific instances of successful water finding, where the rod's movement indicated the presence of water at particular depths—often accurately aligning with subsequent drilling. The author discusses his theory that the movement of the rod may be influenced by electrical forces and provides mathematical insights into measuring the depth of water sources. Throughout, Latimer emphasizes the need for open-mindedness in scientific exploration, urging readers to investigate the phenomenon beyond the conventional skepticism often associated with water-witching practices.