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power。 It is the mechanism of the materialisation medium which has been
explored by the acute brain and untiring industry of Doctor Geley； and
even presuming； as one may fairly presume； that every materialising
medium goes through the same process in order to produce results； still
such mediums are exceedingly； rare。 Dr。 Geley mentions； as an analogous
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phenomenon on the material side； the presence of dermoid cysts； those
mysterious formations； which rise as small tumors in any part of the body；
particularly above the eyebrow； and which when opened by the surgeon
are found to contain hair； teeth or embryonic bones。 There is no doubt； as
he claims； some rough analogy； but the dermoid cyst is； at least； in the
same flesh and blood plane of nature as the foetus inside it； while in the
ectoplasm we are dealing with an entirely new and strange development。
＇8＇ Dr。 Geley writes to me that they are unknown either to him or to
the medium。
It is not possible to define exactly what occurs in the case of the
ectoplasm； nor； on account of its vital connection with the medium and its
evanescent nature； has it been separated and subjected to even the roughest
chemical analysis which might show whether it is composed of those
earthly elements with which we are familiar。 Is it rather some coagulation
of ether which introduces an absolutely new substance into our world？
Such a supposition seems most probable； for a comparison with the
analogous substance examined at Dr。 Crawford's seances at Belfast； which
is at the same time hardly visible to the eye and yet capable of handling a
weight of 150 pounds； suggests something entirely new in the way of
matter。 But setting aside； as beyond the present speculation； what the exact
origin and nature of the ectoplasm may be； it seems to me that there is
room for a very suggestive line of thought if we make Geley's experiments
the starting point； and lead it in the direction of other manifestations of
psychomaterial activity。 First of all； let us take Crookes' classic
experiments with Katie King； a result which for a long time stood alone
and isolated but now can be approached by intermittent but definite stages。
Thus we can well suppose that during those long periods when Florrie
Cook lay in the laboratory in the dark； periods which lasted an hour or
more upon some occasions； the ectoplasm was flowing from her as from
Eva。 Then it was gathering itself into a viscous cloud or pillar close to her
frame； then the form of Katie King was evolved from this cloud； in the
manner already described； and finally the nexus was broken and the
completed body advanced to present itself at the door of communication；
showing a person different in every possible attribute save that of sex from
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the medium； and yet composed wholly or in part from elements extracted
from her senseless body。 So far； Geley's experiments throw a strong
explanatory light upon those of Crookes。 And here the Spiritualist must； as
it seems to me； be prepared to meet an objection more formidable than the
absurd ones of fraud or optical delusion。 It is this。 If the body of Katie
King the spirit is derived from the body of Florrie Cook the psychic； then
what assurance have we that the life therein is not really one of the
personalities out of which the complex being named Florrie Cook is
constructed？ It is a thesis which requires careful handling。 It is not enough
to say that the nature is manifestly superior； for supposing that Florrie
Cook represented the average of a number of conflicting personalities；
then a single one of these personalities might be far higher than the total
effect。 Without going deeply into this problem； one can but say that the
spirit's own account of its own personality must count for something； and
also that an isolated phenomenon must be taken in conjunction with all
other psychic phenomena when we are seeking for a correct explanation。
But now let us take this idea of a human being who has the power of
emitting a visible substance in which are formed faces which appear to
represent distinct individualities； and in extreme cases develop into
complete independent human forms。 Take this extraordinary fact； and let
us see whether； by an extension or modification of this demonstrated
process； we may not get some sort of clue as to the modus operandi in
other psychic phenomena。 It seems to me that we may； at least； obtain
indications which amount to a probability； though not to a certainty； as to
how some results； hitherto inexplicable； are attained。 It is at any rate a
provisional speculation； which may suggest a hypothesis for future
observers to destroy； modify； or confirm。 The argument which I would
advance is this。 If a strong materialisation medium can throw out a cloud
of stuff which is actually visible； may not a medium of a less pronounced
type throw out a similar cloud with analogous properties which is not
opaque enough to be seen by the average eye； but can make an impression
both on the dry plate in the camera and on the clairvoyant faculty？ If that
be soand it would not seem to be a very far…fetched propositionwe have
at once an explanation both of psychic photographs and of the visions of
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the clairvoyant seer。 When I say an explanation； I mean of its superficial
method of formation； and not of the forces at work behind； which remain
no less a mystery even when we accept Dr。 Geley's statement that they are
〃ideoplastic。〃 Here we have； I think； some attempt at a generalisation；
which might； perhaps； be useful in evolving some first signs of order out
of this chaos。 It is conceivable that the thinner emanation of the
clairvoyant would extend far further than the thick material ectoplasm； but
have the same property of moulding itself into life； though the life forms
would only be visible to the clairvoyant eye。 Thus； when Mr。 Tom Tyrrell；
or any other competent exponent； stands upon the platform his emanation
fills the hall。 Into this emanation； as into the visible ectoplasm in Geley's
experiments； break the faces and forms of those from the other side who
are attracted to the scene by their sympathy with various members of the
audience。 They are seen and described by Mr。 Tyrrell； who with his finely
attuned senses； carefully conserved （he hardly eats or drinks upon a day
when he demonstrates）； can hear that thinner higher voice that calls their
names； their old addresses and their messages。 So； too； when Mr。 Hope
and Mrs。 Buxton stand with their hands joined over the cap of the camera；
they are really throwing out a misty ectoplasm from which the forms loom
up which appear upon the photographic plate。 It may be that I mistake an
analogy for an explanation； but I put the theory on record for what it is
worth。
B。 A PARTICULAR INSTANCE
I have been in touch with a series of events in America lately； and can
vouch for the facts as much as any man can vouch for facts which did not
occur to himself。 I have not the least doubt in my own mind that they are
true； and a more remarkable double proof of the continuity of life has； I
should think； seldom been published。 A book has recently been issued by
Harpers； of New York； called 〃The Seven Purposes。〃 In this book the
authoress； Miss Margaret Cameron； describes how she suddenly
developed the power of automatic writing。 She was not a Spiritualist at the
time。 Her hand was controlled and she wrote a quantity of matter which
was entirely outside her own knowledg