Dr. Wells’s Observations 
384 
Cutting’s eye in its relaxed state, before the application of 
the Belladonna, brought parallel rays to a focus anterior to 
the retina ; but that similar rays met in a point upon the re- 
tina, while the eye was under the full influence of that sub- 
stance ; as it may hence seem, that the Belladonna had done 
more than merely suspend the exercise of the power, by 
which the eye is fitted to see near objects distinctly. An ob- 
servation drawn from the former state of my own sight will, 
I expect, make this matter plain. 
When I enjoyed the faculty of adapting my eyes to objects 
at different distances, the rays of a star, which was viewed 
attentively by me, always met in a point a little before the 
retina •* whence I at first concluded, that my eye was unfit 
for accurate vision by parallel rays. But I afterwards found, 
that if I looked at a star carelessly, its rays had then their' 
concourse on the retina. In the former case, from long habit, 
originating in my having chiefly viewed near objects with at- 
tention, some small exertion was made for the accurate view 
of a distant object, though none was requisite; in the latter, 
all demand for exertion ceasing, my eye fell into the most 
relaxed condition, that by which it was fitted for parallel rays. 
Dr. Cutting’s eye seems to have been similar to what my 
own once was, in regard to such rays ; but as he had not ac- 
quired the faculty of viewing a distant object, without making 
some exertion, the rays from a star crossed one another in his 
eye before they came to the retina. The capacity, however, 
of making any exertion was taken away by the Belladonna, 
and pencils of parallel rays were, in consequence, brought to 
points upon that membrane. 
* Essay on Single Vision, &c. p« 138. 
