Mr. Harvey's Case of Vision with regard to Colours. 205 



cleaning out the small stones between some of the blocks of 

 lava, that lay scattered around, a large fire was kindled near 

 the-entrance, which, throwing its glimmering light on the dark 

 volcanic sides of the cavern, and illuminating one side of the 

 huge masses of lava, exhibited to our view the strange features 

 of our apartment, which resembled in no small degree, scenes 

 -described in tales of romance." 



From the higher regions in the vicinity of the cave, the 

 light of the volcano illuminating the clouds, was distinctly 

 visible. 



[To be continued.] 



XXX. On an Anomalous Case of Vision with regard to Colours. 

 By George Harvey, Esq. F.B.S. E* 



A S the following anomalous case relating to the vision of 

 ^*- colours appears to possess some remarkable peculiarities, 

 I have considered it of sufficient importance to be submitted 

 to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 



J. B., aged 60 years, served in early life an apprenticeship 

 to a farmer ; but disliking agricultural pursuits, became a tai- 

 lor, and afterwards entered into the navy, and served in several 

 general actions. After quitting the sea-service he resumed 

 his trade, and in the employment of which he now continues. 

 From his childhood, it appears, he was unable to point out 

 colours by their proper names ; or, excepting in a few cases, 

 to distinguish one colour from another. From the nature of 

 his avocation, this circumstance must have often been to him 

 the source of much inconvenience ; and during his whole life 

 he has found the utmost embarrassment from it. He has re- 

 marked that his inability of distinguishing colours has cut him 

 off from the enjoyment of many innocent and harmless plea- 

 sures. If a painting were placed before him abounding with 

 the most beautiful varieties of colour, it would only present a 

 dull and cloudy appearance; and hence he has never made a 

 practice of stopping at print-shops, or of visiting any scenic 

 representations. In early life, he once visited a panoramic 

 exhibition, and he remarked, that his mortification was ex- 

 treme, when he found every one around him delighted with 

 the splendour of the scenes ; whereas to him, to adopt his own 

 words, the whole presented nothing but " a smoky appearance." 

 The face of nature also, which, to the perfectly organized eye, 

 presents so many exquisite varieties of colour, and so many 



* From the Edinburgh Philosophical Transactions, vol. x, p. 253. 



beautiful 



