FORM ANALYSIS. 



By a. a. MICHELSON. 



(Read April i8, igo6.) 



As a recreation in the midst of more serious work, I have been 

 interested in the analysis of natural forms ; and hoping that the 

 results of this somewhat desultory occupation be not deemed too 

 frivolous for so august an occasion, I will venture to present some 

 illustrations^ and generalizations which have occurred to me. I 

 recognize that the subject is one whose adequate treatment would 

 tax the best efforts of one who combined the insight of the scientist, 

 with the aesthetic appreciation of the painter and the gift of lan- 

 guage of the poet — and certainly I am lacking in all three — but 

 especially in the power of adequate expression. 



I had hoped that my contribution would at least have the merit 

 of originality, but I find that many abler investigators have found a 

 similar delight in this interesting field, and have expounded their 

 ideas with a wealth of poetic imagery and of exquisite illustration 

 such as I cannot hope to emulate. 



Haeckel in particular has treated the subject of General Morph- 

 ology in so exhaustive a fashion that it would seem futile to 

 attempt to add anything of real interest or importance. This is most 

 assuredly the case as regards luxurious wealth of illustration, and 

 better cannot be done than to employ the " Art Forms in Nature " 

 with grateful thanks to the man who has placed these within our 

 reach. 



Regarding his classification of forms there may be room for 

 differences of opinion ; and here I may venture to suggest some 

 modifications for such a general scheme as shall include not only 

 natural objects but also physical and mathematical forms such as 

 interference patterns and graphs of analytical expressions. 



^ The paper was illustrated with lantern slides taken mainly from 

 Haeckel's " Kunstformen der Natur." 



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