THE ANALYSIS OF LIGHT. 333 



In the grouping of flowers in gardens, and in the preparation of bouquets, 

 the most pleasing effects will be produced by placing the blue flowers next 

 to the orange, and the violet next to the yellow. White, red, and pink 

 flowers are never seen to greater advantage than when surrounded with green 

 leaves, or white flowers ; on the otlier hand, we should always separate pink 

 flowers from those that are either scarlet or crimson ; orange, from orange- 

 yellow flowers ; yellow flowers from greenish -yellow flowers ; blue from violet- 

 blue, red from orange, pink from violet. 



By grouping colors together which are not complementary, or which do not 

 riglitly contrast with each other, we produce a discordant effect upon the eye, 

 analogous to the discord which is produced upon the ear by instruments out of 

 tune. It is always necessary that, if one part of the dress be highly ornamented, 

 or consists of various colors, a portion should be plain, to give repose to the eye. 



Black being the complementary color of white, the effect of black drapery 

 upon the color of the skin or face is to make it appear pale, or whiter than it 

 usually is. 



The optical effect of dark and black dresses is to make the figure appear 

 smaller ; hence it is a suitable color for stout persons. On the contrary, whito 

 and light-colored dresses make persons appear larger. Large patterns or de- 

 signs upon dress, make the figure appear shorter : longitudinal stripes, if not 

 too wide, add to the height of the figure ; horizontal stripes have a contrary 

 tendency, and are very ungraceful.* 



whatisaRain- ^94. The Eainbow is a semicircular band 

 ^"""^ or arch, composed of the seven different colors, 

 generally exhibited upon the clouds during the occurrence 

 of rain in sunshine. 



How is a rain- Thc raiubow is produced by the refraction 

 bow produced? ^^^j^ reflcctiou of the solar rays in the drops of 

 falling rain. 



• The following curious facts are known to persons employed in trade: — "AVhen a pur- 

 chaser has for a considerable time looked at a yellow fabric, and is then shown orange or 

 scarlet stufTs, he considers them to be amaranth-red, or crimson, for there is a tendency 

 In the eye, excited by yellow, to see violet, whence all the yellow of the scarlet or orang* 

 cloth disappears, and the eye sees red, or red tinged with scarlet. Again, if there are 

 presented to a buyer, one after another, fourteen pieces of red cloth, he will consider tha 

 last six or seven less beautiful than those first seen, although the pieces be identically the 

 same. Now what is the cause of this error in judgment? It is that the eyes having 

 seen seven or eight red pieces in succession, are in the same condition as if they luid 

 regarded fixedly during the same period of time a single piece of red cloth ; they hava 

 then a tendency to see the complementary color of red, that is to say, green. This tend- 

 ency goes, of necessity, to enfeeble the brilliancy of the red of the pieces seen later. In 

 order that the merchant may not be the sufferer by this failing of the eyes of his cus- 

 tomer, he must take care after h.aving shown the latter seven piecos of red, to present to 

 him some pieces of green cloth, to restore the eyes to their natural state. If the sight of 

 the green be sufficiently prolonged to exceed the normal state, the eyes will acquire a 

 tendency to see red; then the last seven pieces irill appear more beautiful than tb« 

 otiten." — Chevreul on Celor. 



