690 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



The ophthalmoscope has become an instrument of incalculable 

 value to the oculist. Many changes in the retina and interior of the 

 eye, which are due to disease, can be observed and examined by means 

 of the ophthalmoscope; and, in fact, the medical treatment of the eye 

 has made an immense advance since the discovery of this instrument. 



The eyes of many animals those of cats, for instance exhibit a 

 peculiar brilliancy, which is particularly remarkable in the dusk. It 

 was formerly thought that the eyes of such animals emitted light in- 

 dependently, as it was also thought that light could be emitted by the 

 human eye, under the influence of passion. Tliis brilliancy, however, 

 in the eyes of these animals is caused by a carpet of glittering fibres, 

 called the tapetum, which lies behind the retina, and is a powerful 

 reflector. In perfect darkness no light is observed in their eyes, a 

 fact which has been established by very careful experiments; but, 

 nevertheless, a very small amount of light is sufficient to produce the 

 luminous appearance in them. 



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T 



SCIENCE AND RELIGION AS ALLIES. 



By JAMES THOMPSON BIXBY. 



HE antagonism between Science and Religion has become a com- 

 monplace of literature. Both preachers and physicists have 

 narrated with bitterness of spirit the battles which they have 

 fought, the wrongs which they have suffered, the complaints which 

 they have to make, the one against the other. The combative have 

 plunged into the mdlee, and with slashing pen or tongue given it new 

 asperity and new sources of grievance. The peaceful have endeav- 



