On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
point . To this may be added the structure of the darkened cell , in yhtch these curious humours lie , and into which the glories of the heavens a ^ id the earth are brou ght and exquisitely pictured , which cell is perfectly adapted , by meansf of its
texture , aperture and colour to guard off from without , all useless and noxious rays , and within it is extremely , well coated with a dark tegument , that it may not reflect , dissipate , or any way confuse or disturb the beneficial rays . According to Descartes , this blackness- is intended to obscure the rays which are reflected from the bottom
of the eye to its fore-part , and which w «> uld otherwise be thrown back again upon the bottom , and thus occasion a confused vision . Another reason has been assigned for this colour , viz . that the superfluous rays which proceed from lateral objects may be absorbed . Hence illuminated objects are best seen from a dark station , because
the rays proceeding from them are not obliterated by circumambient light . It has been observed by the honourable Mr . Boyle and by others who fiave discoursed ori the wisdom and
goodness of the Almighty from the structure of the human frame , that . as we are under the necessity of using optic glasses , so nature , meaning by the term , the God of nature , has made a far more complete provision in the eyes of animals , to shut out too mych , and to admit sufficient light , by the
dilatation and contraction of the ptipil ; and it may be farther noted that these pupils are # 1 different animals of different fqrmt according to their peculiar occasions . In some , particularly in man , it is round , that being the most proper figure for the position of our eyes , and the uses we make of them on all occasions . In some
animals it ip oblong , and large , as in the cow , sheep , horse , &c . which is an admirable provision for such creatures to see tlje better laterally , and thereby avoicl those things that might offend them . In other animals the figure of the pupil is erect , and also capable of
opening wide and shutting up close . Ihe latter of which serves to exclude the brighter light of day , and the former to take in the morel faint rays thinly scattered about in Hie flight , which is an admirable provision for ljio . se animals , as the cat , 3 mi * r # el ,
Untitled Article
&c . that have occasion tm watch ay way-lay their prey both by day and night , and to look upwards and dowu wards in the act of climbin g after their food or to avoid danger .
With respect to the means adapted to the protection of this curious organ we may quote the words of Cicero De naturd Deorum . " The eyelids says this philosopher , " which are the coverings of the eyes , are soft to- the touch that they may not hurt the
sight , and are fitted both for veiling and opening the pupils with the great est celerity . They are defended bi the eye-lashes , as by a palisade which prevents any th ng from falling into them while the eyes are open ; and closing together in sleep , the eye is at rest under their covering . Thev
are likewise most admirably placed under shelter , and are guarded on all sides by more prominent parts . The upper eye-lids covered by the eyebrows are screened from the perspiration falling down from the forehead ; jjjie under eye-lids are defended by the cheek-bones which rise higher than their surface . " It is remarkable also ,
that the hairs of the eye-lashes grow only to a certain length , and never stand in need of cutting like the hair on the head : again , their points stand completely out of the way : those in the upper lid bend upwards , while those in the lower lid decline
downwards . From these circumstances , we may learn how critically exact the great Author of Nature has been in even the least and most trivial conveniences belonging to every part of the animal frame . Did our plan admit of figures we would farther shew the curious structure and lodgment of
the muscle which is used in opening the eye-lids , and of another , or circo cular one , used in closing them , and we would gladly point out the n «* apparatus of glands that keep the eye moist , and serve for tears , and other circumstances which anatomists h ^ noticed with wdtider and delight
Untitled Article
% 6 # CheynelVs " Rise , Growth and Danger of Soeiniamsme **
Untitled Article
Some Account ofCbepicWs " p Growth and Danger of So **** isme ^ ( Continued from p .
Chapter I . of { his curious p ^ phlet is entitled , " Of the Rise orjocinianisroe . " Cheyneljatlribwt ^ malignant heresy to « the Pp int <*
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1815, page 162, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1758/page/34/
-