Another time, Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a minute piece of the enamel of the tooth of a mastodon, which had been found thirty feet below the surface of the earth.  The psychometrist had not the slightest knowledge of the character of the tiny flake of enamel handed her, but nevertheless reported:  “My impression is that it is a part of some monstrous animal, probably part of a tooth.  I feel like a perfect monster, with heavy legs, unwieldy head, and very large body.  I go down to a shallow stream to drink.  I can hardly speak, my jaws are so heavy.  I feel like getting down on all fours.  What a noise comes through the woods.  I have an impulse to answer it.  My ears are very large and leathery, and I can almost fancy they flap in my face as I move my head.  There are some older ones than I. It seems so out of keeping to be talking with these heavy jaws.  They are dark brown, as if they had been completely tanned.  There is one old fellow, with large tusks, that looks very tough.  I see several younger ones.  In fact, there is a whole herd.  My upper lip moves curiously; I can flap it up.  It seems strange to me how it is done.  There is a plant growing here, higher than my head.  It is nearly as thick as my wrist, very juicy, sweet, and tender—­something like green corn in taste, but sweeter.  It is not the taste it would have to a human being—­oh no! it is sickenish, and very unpleasant to the human taste.”  These instances might be multiplied indefinitely, but the principle is the same in each.  In my own experience, I gave a small piece from the Great Pyramid of Egypt to a psychometrist who was uneducated and who knew nothing of ancient Egypt or its history.  Notwithstanding this, she gave me such a detailed and complete account of the life of ancient Egypt, which was in such complete accordance with the opinions of the best authorities, that I would hesitate about publishing the report, for it certainly would be regarded as rank imposture by the average scientific authority.  Some day, however, I may publish this.

There are no special directions to be given the student in psychometry.  All that can be done is to suggest that each person should try the experiments for himself, in order to find out whether he has, or has not, the psychometric faculty.  It may be developed by the methods that will be given to develop all psychic powers, in another part of this book.  But much will depend upon actual practice and exercise.  Take strange objects, and, sitting in a quiet room with the object held to your forehead, shut out all thoughts of the outside world, and forget all personal affairs.  In a short time, if the conditions are all right, you will begin to have flashes of scenes connected with the history of the object.  At first rather disconnected and more or less confused, there will soon come to you a clearing away of the scene, and the pictures will become quite plain.  Practice will develop the power.  Practice only when alone, or when in the presence of some sympathetic friend or friends.  Always avoid discordant and inharmonious company when practicing psychic powers.  The best psychometrists usually keep the physical eyes closed when practicing their power.