Light Eye. 6 1 



obstructions. That is, every particle of the atmo- 

 sphere seems to be a point from which light is re- 

 flected in all directions in right lines. And every 

 object, either in consequence of its reflection or 

 absoiption of light at every point, forms an image 

 at every possible position that can be taken, from 

 which straight lines can be drawn to the object. 

 And the rays, passing from a multitude of objects 

 across each other, never interfere. Even when 

 through an opening in the shutter, a thou- 

 sand o! ly be painted on the screen, and yet 

 h one be as perfect as though that were the only 

 object in the range of vision. The glowing threads 

 that weave the gorgeous web of light never tangle, 

 and never blend the pictures that they are ever 

 forming. Whether we take the proof with the eye 

 or with the photographic plate, we find these cross- 

 ing-lines tracing at the same moment in a thousand 

 places the perfect picture of every object on the 

 landscape. We cannot but admire the varied forms 

 of objects, and the effect of surface in producing 

 color, by which distinctness of every part is secured. 

 The wisdom and skill of man might be challenged 

 to conceive of means more perfect than light in its 

 varied relations to matter, to secure distinctness of 

 individual objects. No less worthy of admiration 

 is the organ through which we are to perceive. 

 Whoever contrived it, understood perfectly all the 

 properties of light, and the wants of the being that 

 was to use it. We might introduce here modifica- 

 tions of the eye in the lower animals suited to their 



