Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/41

Rh meeting the retina, are not yet brought into union with each other. The first case occurs in a near-sighted eye, and the second in a far-sighted eye. The lines e represent only the principal rays of each pencil of light reflected to the left eye.

The orbit occupies a spherical cavity formed of seven bones, which are quite independent of the fashion of the head—it is rather conical at the back, with apertures for communication with the brain. The ball or apple of the eye is spherical—the most beautiful form in nature—the form which nature assumes in all most pleasing expressions. The vault of Heaven—the rainbow—the contour of woman—the shape of the brow—lash and lid of the eye—the path of the sea—the sweetest sounds are round—the marital emblem—the very shape in which the mind always conceives the great Spirit resident—is that of a sphere or circle. It would exceed our limits to say more on shape, else very many pleasing lines might be added. Its motion is aided by its shape; in short, the sphere is the only perfect and independent shape, all other shapes being but parts of it. It is the shape which beauty assumes when it has executed its mission of action and attrition.

The eye's imperial eminence above all the other senses gives it dignity and power. The elevated situation yields the idea of a lighthouse, from whence we may look down on the storms and sands of time, whilst we observe the drama of fortune and vicissitude; and, although the very foundations of the sea may be raised in many dusky atoms, yet the lamps of this lighthouse remain faithful and luminous. Nature has built a wall round about this great treasure, i.e., seven bones form a deep cavity, called the orbit, in which rests the ball or apple, with its muscles, vessels, &c. The eye may be said to ride in an adipose substance, as the sea-fowl rides upon the wave. The