X. Experiments and observations on the inflection, reflection, and colours of light

Abstract

It has always appeared wonderful to me, since nature seems to delight in those close analogies which enable her to preserve simplicity and even uniformity in variety, that there should be no dispositions in the parts of light, with respect to inflection and reflection, analogous or similar to their different refrangibility. In order to ascertain the existence of such properties, I began a course of experiments and observations, a short account of which forms the substance of this paper. For the sake of perspicuity I shall begin with the analytical branch of the subject, comprehending my observations under two parts: flexion , or the bending of the rays in their passage by bodies, and reflection . And I shall conclude by applying the principles there established to the explanation of phænomena, in the way of synthesis. As in every experimental inquiry much depends on the at­tention paid to the minutest circumstances, in justice to myself I ought to mention, that each experiment was set down as par­ticularly as possible immediately after it was made; that they were all repeated every favourable day for nearly a year, and before various persons; and as any thing like a preconceived opinion, with respect to matter of theory that is in dispute, will, it is more than probable, influence us in the manner of drawing our conclusions, and even in the manner of recording the experiments that lead to these, I have endeavoured as much as possible to keep in view the saying of the Brahmin: “that he who obstinately adheres to any set of opinions, may “bring himself at last to believe that the fresh sandal wood is “flame of fire."