July 17^ 1914] 



SCIENCE 



91 



ing systems, too much light is being used for 

 the welfare and comfort of the eye. Added 

 to this is the effect of the position of 

 the light in the field of vision. The kero- 

 sene lamp may be placed at the back or side 

 of the person using it, and, if in the field of 

 vision, it is usually at or near the level of 

 the eye. In the two former cases the effect of 

 concealed lighting is given, and in the latter 

 case the lamp occupies the most favorable posi- 

 tion possible for an exposed source. That is, if 

 the source of light is to be in the field of 

 vision at all, it should be as nearly as possible 

 at the level of the eye. This is because of the 

 greater tendency of a light source to produce 

 discomfort and loss of efficiency when its 

 image falls on the upper and lower halves of 

 the retina than when it falls in the horizontal 

 meridian. These facts have been clearly 

 brought out in our work on the effect of posi- 

 tion of the light in the field of vision. 



In addition to studying the conditions that 

 give us maximum efficiency, it is important to 

 determine the lighting conditions and eye 

 factors that cause discomfort. In fact, it 

 might well be said that our problem in light- 

 ing at present is not so much how to see better 

 as it is how to see with more comfort and with 

 less damage to the general health on account 

 of eye-strain. Any comparative study of the 

 conditions producing discomfort necessitates 

 a method of estimating discomfort. As stated 

 earlier in the paper, our method of estimating 

 discomfort is entirely distinct and separate 

 from our method of studying efficiency. Time 

 can not be taken here to go into details of 

 either the method or of the results of this 

 study. It will be sufficient to say that the 

 effect of distribution of light and surface 

 brightness, intensity, and quality are also being 

 studied in their relation in the comfort as 

 well as to the efficiency of the eye. 



In conclusion, the writer wishes to point 

 out that no one of the factors he has men- 

 tioned can be safely omitted in the search 

 for the most favorable conditions of lighting. 

 Nor can one be investigated and a correla- 

 tion between it and the others be taken for 

 granted. We have been content, heretofore. 



to base our conclusions with regard to the 

 relation of a lighting system to seeing on the 

 conventional visual acuity test. While this 

 test may tell us something about the general 

 level or scale of efficiency of the fresh eye, it 

 can tell us nothing of loss of efficiency, because 

 the muscles of the eye, although they may have 

 fallen off enormously in efficiency, can under 

 the spur of the will be whipped up to their 

 normal power long enough to make the judg- 

 ment required by the test. Moreover, it tells 

 us nothing of the conditions that produce dis- 

 comfort. In short, the general level or scale 

 of efficiency of the fresh eye, loss of efficiency 

 as the result of work, and the tendency to pro- 

 duce discomfort constitute three separably 

 determinable moments, no one of which should 

 be neglected in installing a lighting system. 



C. E. Ferree 

 Betn Mawb College 



CABL FUCES 



Mr. Carl Fuchs, the well-known entomolo- 

 gist, died on June 11, 1914, at his home in 

 Alameda, California. He had attained the 

 good age of 74 years, 6 months and lY days; 

 and was a native of Hanan, Frankfurt-am- 

 Main, Germany, where he was born on No- 

 vember 25, 1839. His remains were cremated. 

 He was always active, energetic and punc- 

 tual in business, and was noted for his en- 

 thusiasm on all matters appertaining to his 

 favorite study. His specialty was the Coleop- 

 tera, and up to the time of the earthquake and 

 fire of 1906, he had the largest collection on 

 the Pacific Coast. The loss of this — his life's 

 work, with the exception of a few boxes which 

 contained a genera collection — greatly de- 

 pressed his spirit and ambition for a time. 

 He rallied, however, and had by unceasing 

 efforts up to the time of his death amassed 

 another moderately large collection. 



Mr. Fuchs was one of the most hospitable, 

 kind and lovable of men, ever ready to aid 

 amateurs or his younger colleagues, both as 

 regards advice and material. The news of his 

 death will be a shock to his numerous friends 

 both in the United States and abroad. 



His trade was that of a chaser and engraver. 



