OF SOUXD AND HEARING. 231 



The cause wherefore many visibles are at once repre 

 sented unto the eyes, the one not confounding the other, 

 would seem to be none other but this: that visibles are not 

 seen except in a right line, but sounds are heard even in a 

 line oblique, or arcuate. Therefore as many objects, in 

 the area of the sphere of sight, as are conveyed, there be 

 so many cones of beams, nor ever one cone doth coincide 

 with another; neither do the vertices of the cones meet in 

 the same point, because they are carried by right lines. 

 But sounds, which are carried by lines both right and 

 arcuate, can meet easily in one point, and so are confused. 

 The same seemeth to be the cause wherefore a more bright 

 colour drowns not a more dim colour ; nevertheless a greater 

 light obscures and hides a weaker light, because light is 

 perceived in an arched line, like as sound. For although 

 the very flame of a candle be not seen except in a right 

 line, yet does the light that is every where spread round 

 attain to the sight in lines, arched in respect of the body of 

 the candle : the like is the case of the sun, or flame. Now 

 if it be objected that neither is light itself seen except in a 

 right line from air illuminated, it is true; but I think that 

 this as well happens to sound : for neither is sound heard 

 unless in right lines from some part of the sphere of sound, 

 whither the first pulsation arrives. But colour, which is 

 nothing other than the image unequally reflected of the 

 light, spreadeth around so weak species, that it little or 

 nothing tinges the air adjacent, unless where the colours 

 are conveyed in right lines between the object and the eye. 



Let there be a trial made with a double recorder, in 

 which let there be two fipples, at each end one, so as they 

 may be played in unison : the hollow pipe being of a 

 double length, and continued in one, let two together play 

 the same tune at either end, and let it be noted whether the 

 sound be confused, or amplified, or dulled. 



Let there be two hollow trunks taken, and joined toge 

 ther crosswise, so as they shall open the one into the other, 

 in the place where they are joined ; and let two speak into 

 the direct and transverse trunk, and let the ears of two be 

 in like manner applied to the opposite ends, and observe 

 whether the voices confuse one another. 



