I

§ 1. The title of this book embraces all transmissions of thought and feeling from one person to another, by other means than through the recognised channels of sense; and among these cases we shall include apparitions . . . xxxiii.

§ 2. We conceive that the problems here attacked lie in the main track of science ........... xxxiii-xxxiv.

§ 3. The Society for Psychical Research merely aims at the free and exact discussion of the one remaining group of subjects to which such discussion is still refused. Reasons for such refusal . . . . xxxiv-xxxvi.

§ 4. Reasons, on the other hand, for the prosecution of our inquiries may be drawn from the present condition of several contiguous studies. Reasons drawn from the advance of biology ....... xxxvi-xxxvii.

§ 5. Specimens of problems which biology suggests, and on which inquiries like ours may ultimately throw light. Wundt's view of the origination of psychical energy ........ xxxvii-xxxviii.

§ 6. The problems of hypnotism ..... xxxviii-xxxix.

§ 7. Hope of aid from the progress of "psycho-physical "inquiries xxxix-xl.

§ 8. Reasons for psychical research drawn from the lacuna of anthropology ............ xl-xli.

§ 9. Reasons drawn from the study of history, and especially of the comparative history of religions. Instance from the S.P.R.'s investigation of so-called "Theosophy" . . . . . . xli-xliii.

§ 10. In considering the relation of our studies to religion generally, we observe that, since they oblige us to conceive the psychical element in man as having relations which cannot be expressed in terms of matter, a possibility is suggested of obtaining scientific evidence of a supersensory relation between man's mind and a mind or minds above his own .... xliii-xlv.

§ 11. While, on the other hand, if our evidence to recent supernormal occurrences be discredited, a retrospective improbability will be thrown on much of the content of religious tradition ..... xlv-xlvii.

§ 12. Furthermore, in the region of ethical and aesthetic emotion, telepathy indicates a possible scientific basis for much to which men now cling without definite justification ......... xlvii-l.

§ 13. Investigations such as ours are important, moreover, for the purpose of checking error and fraud, as well as of eliciting truth . . . l-li.

II

§ 14. Place of the present book in the field of psychical research. Indications of experimental thought-transference in the normal state. 1876-1882 . li-lii.

§ 15. Foundation of the Society for Psychical Research, 1882. Telepathy selected as our first subject for detailed treatment on account of the mass of evidence for it received by us . . . . . . . lii-liii.

§ 16. There is also a theoretic fitness in treating of the direct action of mind upon mind before dealing with other supernormal phenomena . . liii-liv.

§ 17. Reasons for classing apparitions occurring about the moment of death as phantoms of the living, rather than of the dead .... liv-lvi.

§ 18. This book, then, claims to show (i) that experimental telepathy exists, and (2) that apparitions at death, etc, are a result of something beyond chance; whence it follows (3) that these experimental and these spontaneous cases of the action of mind on mind are in some way allied .... lvi-lvii.

§ 19. As to the nature and degree of this alliance different views may be taken, and in a " Note on a Suggested Mode of Psychical Interaction " [omitted in the present edition. - Ed.] a theory somewhat different from Mr. Gurney's is set forth .......... lvii-lix.

§ 20. This book, however, consists much more largely of evidence than of theories. This evidence has been almost entirely collected by ourselves lix-lx.

§ 21. Inquiries like these, though they may appear at first to degrade great truths or solemn conceptions, are likely to end by exalting and affirming them.