Research source

In fact, according to the evidence collected by the S.P.R., the results of applying such optical tests differ…

Date of account: Published 1894
Source: Apparitions and thought-transference: an examination of the evidence for telepathy
Reference: Apparitions and thought-transference: an examination of the evidence for telepathy · selected passage 146
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

In fact, according to the evidence collected by the S.P.R., the results of applying such optical tests differ with each individual

Published source text

Read the available text below. Archive transcriptions may contain OCR errors; later context is labelled separately. A recorded claim is not a finding that it happened.

Source passage

Source text · mention only

In fact, according to the evidence collected by the S.P.R., the results of applying such optical tests differ with each individual. Thus Mr. Myers succeeded by post-hypnotic suggestion in inducing two young men to see hallucinatory images in the crystal enlarged by the application of a magnifying glass (_S.P.R._, viii. 462, 463), and Miss X. (_id._, pp. 485, 486) reports that she sees hallucinatory pictures distorted in a spoon, reversed in a mirror, enlarged by a magnifying glass, and doubly refracted by Iceland spar. She believes herself also to have experienced complementary colours as the result of prolonged looking at a hallucinatory picture. But Mrs. Verrall (_id._, p. 474) finds the crystal pictures vanish when the magnifying glass is applied; and Miss A. (_id._, p. 500) finds that the superimposition of a magnifying glass does not affect the picture.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

This comes from historical psychical research. Methods, witness handling and standards of evidence differ from present-day research and should be assessed from the cited passage and edition.

Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

The passage can support a history of claims and recurring descriptions. It does not establish a paranormal mechanism, and competing psychological, social and physical explanations remain relevant.

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