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Finally, a few practical suggestions to the reader of this book: I suggest putting two bookmarks in the book for permanent use—one with a List of Abbreviations and another at the Appendix to Chapter 2, which explains the mathematics used. If anyone reads straight through the book, he will see these items by the time he needs them. Most readers, however, will probably get ahead of these sections without having noticed them; so the markers will help.

I have another warning. As I look at it today, there is in this book too much emphasis given to the critical ratios (X-values) and the astronomical odds against the occurrence of certain results by pure chance. Of course, we are more relaxed today. We have lived with this thing so much longer that now we are not so overcome by these unusual results. Also, we do not so freely combine the results of one experiment with those of another. We do not need to.

I have left this book the way it was because it is part of the picture of the time. It belongs with the exciting climbers scaling one peak after another; if there seems to have been a lot of loud shouting back and forth over the phenomenal effects--that is the way it was. Life around this Laboratory was like that: Every bit of it. What would I not give if we could have kept it like that; or renewed it. But, of course, human beings simply cannot go on living on the peaks they scale. And the reception awaiting us from a naturally skeptical world helped us quickly enough to pull ourselves off the heights of enthusiasm. All the same it is never too late to comment on it, criticize it, or inquire further about it. Dr. Prince, at the end of his introduction, directed readers to address their questions or comments to me or this Laboratory. I renew that invitation in our mutual interest. Today as part of our educational program we even have plans for the aiding of students (of whatever age) who want to turn their attention, in whatever degree, toward learning more about this still fascinating, still challenging, still enormously promising though far from easy field of inquiry.

J. B. rhine, Director Parapsychology Laboratory

Duke University

Box 6847, College Station

Durham, North Carolina