et
until better information, we are of opinion, with Agricola, that in
itself it is a fruitless exploration, strongly scenting of pagan
derivation and the _virgula divina_ proverbially magnified of old. The
ground whereof were the magical rods in poets--that of Pallas, in Homer;
that of Mercury, that charmed Argus; and that of Circe, which
transformed the followers of Ulysses. Too boldly usurping the name of
Moses' rod, from which notwithstanding, and that of Aaron, were probably
occasioned the fables of all the rest. For that of Moses must needs be
famous unto the Egyptians, and that of Aaron unto many other nations, as
being preserved in the Ark until the destruction of the Temple built by
Solomon.'

One may look in vain, perhaps, for modern instances of the divining-rod
under the name of 'Moses his rod,' as old Sir Thomas found it.

It is curious, however, that Sir Thomas Browne, who was so fond of
delving among ancient writers, makes no reference to a striking passage
in Herodotus. That historian, speaking of the Scythians, says, 'They
have amongst them a great number who practise the art of divination. For
this purpose they use a number of willow-twigs in this manner: they
bring large bundles of these together, and having untied them, dispose
them one by one on the ground, each bundle at a distance from the rest.
This done, they pretend to foretell the future, during which they take
up the bundles separately and tie them again together.'

From this it may be seen that while the divining-rod was a familiar
instrument 450 years before Christ, it was also then disbelieved in by
some. Curious to think that what the old historian of Halicarnassus was
wise enough to ridicule four centuries and a half before the birth of
Christ, there are yet people, nineteen centuries after His advent,
simple enough to accept!

Herodotus goes on to tell that this mode of divination was hereditary
among the Scythians, so how many centuries earlier it may have been
practised one can hardly guess. He says that the 'enaries, or effeminate
men, affirm that the art of divination was taught them by the goddess
Venus,' a statement which will carry some significance to those who are
familiar with the theories so boldly advocated by the author of Bible
Folklore.

Now, the attempt to divine by means of rods, arrows, staffs or twigs is
evidently a good deal older than Herodotus, and it is to be found among
almost every race of people on the fa