The discovery of drowned bodies by loading a loaf with mercury, and
putting it afloat on a stream, or by casting into the river, as the
Indians do, "a chip of cedar wood, which will stop and turn round over
the exact spot," is referrible to natural and simple causes. As there
are in all running streams deep pools formed by eddies, in which drowned
bodies would be likely to be caught and retained, any light substance
thrown into the current would consequently be drawn to that part of the
surface over the centre of the eddy hole.