Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664)Boyle, Robert
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Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664)
Boyle, Robert
Color -- Early works to 1800; Colors -- Early works to 1800
Next, whereas our Author tells us, that the Infusion of this Wood expos'd
in a Vial to the Light, looks like Spring-water, in which he afterwards
adds, that there is no Tincture to be seen in it, our Observation and his
agree not, for the Liquor, which opposed to the Darker part of a Room
exhibits a Sky-colour, did constantly, when held against the Light, appear
Yellowish or Reddish, according as its Tincture was more Dilute or Deep;
and then, whereas it has been already said, that the Cæruleous Colour was
by Acid Salts abolished, this Yellowish one surviv'd without any
considerable Alteration, so that unless our Author's Words be taken in a
very Limited Sense, we must conclude, that either his Memory mis-inform'd
him, or that his White _Nephritick_ Wood, and the Sadder Colour'd one which
we employ'd, were not altogether of the same Nature: What he mentions of
the Cup made of _Lignum Nephriticum_, we have not had Opportunity to try,
not having been able to procure pieces of that Wood great enough, and
otherwise fit to be turned into Cups; but as for what he says in the Title
of his Experiment, that this Wood tinges the Water with all Sorts of
Colours, that is much more than any of those pieces of Nephritick Wood that
we have hitherto employ'd, was able to make good; The change of Colours
discernable in a Vial full of Water, Impregnated by any of them, as it is
directed towards a place more Lightsome or Obscure, being far from
affording a Variety answerable to so promising a Title. And as for what he
tells us, that in the Dark the Infusion of our Wood will resume a
Cæruleous Colour, I wish he had Inform'd us how he Try'd it.
But this brings into my mind, that having sometimes for Curiosity sake,
brought a round Vial with a long Neck fill'd with the Tincture of _Lignum
Nephriticum_ into the Darken'd Room already often mention'd, and holding it
sometimes in, sometimes near the Sun-beams that enter'd at the hole, and
sometimes partly in them, and partly out of them, the Glass being held in
several postures, and look'd upon from several Neighbouring parts of the
Room, disclos'd a much greater Variety of Colours than in ordinary
inlightn'd Rooms it is wont to do; exhibiting, besides the usual Colours, a
Red in some parts, and a Green in others, besides Intermediate Colours
produc'd by the differing Degrees, and odd mixtures of Light and Shade.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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