54 Dr Scoresby on the Colours of the' Dew-Drop, 



where the outline figure represents the shadow of the ob- 

 server, and the small circular marks in the imaginary con- 

 centric bands around the head of the figure, represent the po- 

 sitions of the drops which were observed — the width of the 

 bands being designed to indicate the limits through the an- 

 gular dimensions across which, in the direction of the dotted 

 line drawfi from the eye of the figure, the different colours of 

 the spectrum successively appeared. 



As observed by direct examination in the usual way of vi- 

 sion without any telescope, colours could rarely be seen ex- 

 cept the orange, and that not very distinctly. It occurred to 

 me that the parallax occasioned by the distance of the eyes, 

 might actually bring a different tint to each eye, and so con- 

 fuse or mix up two tints. And this I found to be so far the 

 fact, in observing the nearer drops of dew, that when ex- 

 amined with one eye, unassisted by the telescope, more dis- 

 tinct tints were seen, especially in looking through a tube or 

 through a small hole in any interposed substance. Reflected 

 obliquely from a plane mirror, however, with one eye placed 

 near the reflecting surface, the spectrum became much more 

 obvious and capable of analysis into different distinct tints. 



I have been thus particular in describing the results of these 

 investigations, because they may afford a new source of inte- 

 resting observation by those of a scientific turn of mind — and 

 the opening to observation of a beautiful class of phenomena, 

 especially to persons dwelling in the country, on any morning 

 when the sun shines upon the dew bespangled herbage. And 

 trifling as to the mass of the busy world such investigations 

 may seem — to the spiritually enlightened mind, and to the true 

 admirer of nature, the scriptural truth will, in this case, be 

 abundantly manifest — >" The works of the Lord are great" 

 (and beautiful), " sought out of all them that have pleasure 

 therein." (Psalm cxi. 2.) 



It is scarcely necessary to say that the phenomena herein 

 described, may be likewise observed on the pendant aqueous 

 drops otherwise deposited than by dew. In certain respects 

 the drops from a shower of rain — from fog — or even from a 

 copious shower of the watering-pot — will afford the fitting 

 forms for interesting optical effects; but still the greater 



