Birds and All Nature, Vol. 4, No. 3, September 1898: Illustrated by Color Photography — John Shaqi
Birds and All Nature, Vol. 4, No. 3, September 1898: Illustrated by Color PhotographyVarious
History
Birds and All Nature, Vol. 4, No. 3, September 1898: Illustrated by Color Photography
Various
Birds -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals
An interesting experiment was performed by Professor Tyndall proving
that heat rays do not affect the eye optically. He was operating along
the line of testing the power of the eye to transmit to the sensorium
the presence of certain forms of radiant energy. It is well known that
certain waves are unnoticed by the eye but are registered distinctly
by the photographic plate, and he first showed beyond doubt that heat
waves as such have no effect upon the retina. By separating the light
and heat rays from an electric lantern and focusing the latter, he
brought their combined energy to play where his own eye could be placed
directly in contact with them, first protecting the exterior of his
eye from the heat rays. There was no sensation whatever as a result,
but when, directly afterward, he placed a sheet of platinum at the
convergence of the dark rays it quickly became red hot with the energy
which his eye was unable to recognize.
The eye is a camera obscura with a very imperfect lens and a receiving
plate irregularly sensitized; but it has marvelous powers of quick
adjustment. The habits of the animal determine the character of the
eye. Birds of rapid flight and those which scan the earth minutely
from lofty courses are able to adjust their vision quickly to long and
short range. The eye of the Owl is subject to his will as he swings
noiselessly down upon the Mouse in the grass. The nearer the object the
more the eye is protruded and the deeper its form from front to rear.
The human eye adjusts its power well for small objects within a few
inches and readily reaches out for those several miles away. A curious
feature is that we are able to adjust the eye for something at long
range in less time than for something close at hand. If we are reading
and someone calls our attention to an object on the distant hillside,
the eye adjusts itself to the distance in less than a second, but when
we return our vision to the printed page several seconds are consumed
in the re-adjustment.
The Condor of the Andes has great powers of sight. He wheels in
beautiful curves high in the air scrutinizing the ground most carefully
and all the time apparently keeping track of all the other Condors
within a range of several miles. No sooner does one of his kind descend
to the earth than those near him shoot for the same spot hoping the
find may be large enough for a dinner party. Others soaring at greater
distances note their departure and follow in great numbers so that when
the carcass discovered by one Condor proves to be a large one, hundreds
of these huge birds congregate to enjoy the feast. The Condor's
eyes have been well compared to opera glasses, their extension and
contraction are so great.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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