1889-90.] FIFTEENTH MEETING. 23 



Philosophy and History, as are now in the Institute Library, except 

 copies of original documents of which the Institute has no duplicates. 



Mr. John G. Ridout was elected a member. 



Mr. W. A. Sherwood read a paper on " Color in Nature " (a sequel to 

 a former paper.) 



Mr. Sherwood, after referring to the different views advanced by 

 eminent men of science, their disagreement as to the cause of color per- 

 ception, and to what constituted the primary colors, advanced his theory 

 of color-blindness. That there are certain rods or cones in the retina for 

 • the perception of certain colors was now fairly established. The most 

 recent writer on the rod or cone theory. Professor Le Conte, of the Uni- 

 versity of California, in a work on sight, afforded a great deal of light on 

 the subject. Le Conte was supported in his views on the cone theory 

 by the eminent Professor Herring, of Vienna. According to Herring, 

 there are four rods or cones corresponding to the four colours — red, green, 

 blue, and yellow — acting in pairs, yet distinct the one from the other. 

 Color-blindness was a retinal defect, and those affected were unable to 

 perceive red and green. These colors to the color-blind, seemed as 

 shades of grey. This defect Mr. Sherwood declared, was due to the 

 condition of society. For the last two centuries the color red was almost 

 unused. With it went, by decree of certain creeds, other colors associated 

 with it, substituting the uninteresting colors grey, black, and white. Was 

 it not reasonable to believe that the cone, or rod, whose special function 

 was the perception of red, would, by the absence of red, become first in- 

 active, then dormant, and finally die ? Writers on color-blindness had 

 ascribed every cause save that which seemed most natural. He believed 

 it was due to external and not internal causes. The sect known as the 

 Quakers were not only found with much weakness of the eyes, but also 

 with a large per centage of color-blindness. This Mr. Sherwood believed 

 was due to the habit of wearing the sober colors. The primary red with 

 them had long been in disuse, as it was now with us. With the High- 

 lander the love of color in all varieties of hues never lessened in interest 

 even in ripe years. With us, unfortunately, the opposite state of things 

 existed, colour having but little interest beyond middle life. This want 

 of interest was due to the absence of color in our daily surroundings 

 An early return to the colors as we saw them in nature should be made 

 The colors of autumn foliage might well replace those now used in 

 drapery in our homes and in our literature. This would prevent an in- 

 vasion in after generations of this dangerous affliction. Of the unpleasant 

 effect of black and white, Mr. Sherwood said halls of learning often 



