CONTENTS. vii 



PAGE 



Invention of the Repeating Goniometer 160 



Malus a Candidate for the Academy of Sciences. Situa- 

 tions which he filled. His Death 163 



Character of Malus. Maxims and Precepts. Siiscepti- 

 bility of Malus on Questions of Scientific Priority 167 



FRESNEL. 



Preliminary Notice 171 



Infancy of Fresnel. His Entrance into the Polytechnic 

 School and into the Corps of Bridges and Highways. 

 His Deposition for having gone to join the Royal Army 



at Palud 1 "> 



Fresnel's first Scientific Papers 183 



Refraction 186 



Interferences 202 



Polarization 217 



Principal Characteristics of the System of Emission and 

 of that of Waves. Grounds on which Fresnel was led 



to reject unreservedly the System of Emission 231 



Light-Houses 263 



Life and Character of Fresnel. His Death 273 



THOMAS YOUNG. 



Preliminary Notice 280 



Birth of Young. His Childhood. First Entrance on his 



Scientific Career 282 



Theory of Vision 291 



Interferences 298 



Egyptian Hieroglyphics. History of the first Exact In- 

 terpretation given of them 313 



Note by Translator 325 



Miscellaneous Works of Dr. Young 329 



