12 JUNE 1947, Page 17

Dew Ponds Men of science are beginning to do for

dew ponds what they have done, or think they have done, for water-divining. They argue that dew could only at the best supply not more than .0002, or some such absurd figure, to the ponds which often contain a good many inches of water over a wide space. In some places signs of trenches dug from a con- siderable watershed have apparently been discovered. I find it difficult to accept this rationalising. The only dew ponds I have ever been familiar with certainly were not supplied by any means from any watershed, and were continuously supplied with water in dry periods. Local belief in them is solid. Water-divining is on another plane. The art was first used for tracking criminals and detecting buried treasures, and used at a later date for finding water. The most ardent professional dowser of my acquaintance once said to me: " A knowledge of geology is a great help "! and the ingenuous confession much weakened my own faith. However, there are successful architects who still use dowsers and believe thoroughly in their findings.