Page:The wonders of optics (1869).djvu/33

 From the crystalline lens to the back of the eyeball, is a space more or less globular in form, containing a gelatinous diaphanous mass somewhat resembling white of egg in appearance, and called the vitreous humour.

Behind the vitreous humour, and immediately opposite the pupil and lens, is the most delicate and important of all the membranes of the eye, the retina, which serves as a screen whereon are received the images of the objects around us. This membrane is an expansion of the optic nerve leading from the brain, and lines the whole of the interior of the eye. The eye is also enveloped in a second membrane, called the choroid, which is impregnated with a black pigment. Round this is wrapped a third membrane, the sclerotic , which unites with the cornea in front of the eyeball.

The crystalline lens through which all the rays pass before they reach the retina, possesses the marvellous power of being able to modify its curvature in such a manner as to adapt itself to the distance of the object seen, and thus throw a distinct image on the retina. When we come to talk of the properties of lenses, we shall see that the focus of a lens differs for objects at different distances; if, therefore, the eye were not provided with some such means for altering the focus of the crystalline lens, we should only see objects distinctly at one particular point. The crystalline lens consists of infinite numbers of extremely thin transparent little plates, each of which is in itself composed of fine fibres so united together as to be capable of a small degree of compression or extension. Hence the power of the lens to alter its form according to circumstances. It is calculated that the human eye contains over five millions of the laminæ above referred to. With such wonders is the world of nature replete,—wonders that we daily and hourly pass by without examination.