Miscellaneous Intelligence. 4Al 
The colored fringes, caused by interference, exterior to the shadow, 
are the origin of the various colors observed on clouds during a total 
pee as also of the colors which precede and follow the total 
occulta 
‘The coladad light observed during the total eclipse is the light re- 
flected from the colored re envelope which immediately sur- 
rounds the absolute sha 
The dark, bright, and iahliquesdixected radiations of the corona are 
phenomena of interference, due to diffraction by the mountains on the 
moon’s edge, when these mountains lie in or near the line which con- 
nects the observer with the sun. 
If, however, these mountains are peculiarly shaped, or if they lie 
outside the above line of a A light diffracted by them creates 
the appearance of the red projec 
he red color of the projections, yor of the surfaces which appear 
detached from the moon’s rim, and the increase and decrease of the 
projections according to the relative position of the sun, moon, and ob- 
server, are due to the deportment of the light sent to the observer from 
the ether particles in free space, when these particles, me the 
interference of the light diffracted on the mountains at the edge of the 
oon, are more strongly excited than the neighboring on 
. On the accidental colors which result from looking at white ob- 
jects ; by M. D. M. Szeurn, (Comptes Rendus, Dec. 8, 1851, from Lond. 
Edin. and Dub. Phil. Mag., Jan., 1852, p. 77 71.)—(1 ) If aie ‘baving 
image of the object is seen. This image presents a number of colors, 
which change little by little. As an example, I will narrate the follow- 
ing instance. After looking at a very brilliant object, such as a white 
screen seen by the transmitted light of the sun, on closing the eyes the 
image appears at the first moment green, olive-green or yellow; but 
there is a red border all round, followed by much darker tints. Afier 
a few moments the image becomes decidedly yellow, but the colored 
border approaches towards the centre of the image: the latter acquires 
a deeper yellow, a zone of orange and a zone of re gain gradua 
senting violet, — bl ee green. All the colors advance one after the 
other towards the ce the image, which they successively occupy. 
By varying the sghiaaee of the object, and the length of time of 
looking at it, I have been able to detect one or two constant series of 
passes fi 
at a later period if the eyes were kept closed, and at the same time the 
tints which still remain at the border advance more towards the centre, 
traced this influence of the exterior white light, whether by opening 
the eyes before a surface more or less lighted, or by gradually opening 
Srconp Serizs, Vol. XIIl, No. 39, —May, 1852. 56 
