revolving motion, is fitted to the object end of the tube. The objects best suited for producing pleasing effects are small fragments of coloured glass, wires of glass, both spun and twisted, and of different colours and shades of colours, and of various shapes, in curves, angles, circles; also, beads, bugles, fine needles, small pieces of lace, and fragments of fine sea-weed are very beautiful. M. Sturm, of Prague, has lately fixed the images of the kaleidoscope, so that they are available for the production of patterns in every branch of silk, cotton, and mixed fabrics. Photographs could be taken of the most beautiful of these accidental designs, which only occur once, and if not copied are lost. [Illustration: Fig. 285. A B. The tube containing the two mirrors, shown by dotted lines. A. is the small end where the eye is placed. B. The object end. C D. Another view of the mirrors arranged to place in the tube; the shaded portion represents the black velvet. E. Double convex lens. F. Box to contain objects, and usually fitted with ground glass outside.] CHAPTER XXII. THE REFRACTION OF LIGHT. This term appears to be often confounded with that of reflection, and signifies the bending or breaking back of a ray of light (_re_, back, and _frango_, to break); and it will be remembered that when light falls on the surface of a solid (either liquid or gaseous) body, it may be reflected (_re_, back, and _flecto_, to bend), refracted, polarized, or absorbed. In the previous chapter the property of the reflection of light has been fully investigated, and in this one refraction only will be considered. It is a property which has been, and will continue to be, of the greatest practical utility in its application to the construction of all magnifying glasses, whether belonging to the telescope, microscope, magic lantern, or the dissolving views; or the minor refracting instruments--such as spectacles, opera-glasses, &c.; and it should be remembered that their magnifying power depends solely on the property of refraction.