The discrimination of colour / by F.W. Edridge-Green ; (communicated by W.M. Bayliss).

  • Edridge-Green, F. W. (Frederick William), 1863-1953.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The discrimination of colour / by F.W. Edridge-Green ; (communicated by W.M. Bayliss). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    [Reprinted frem the Proceei/hj(^ of the Koyal Society, B. Vol. 84] The ViscrStfC'^^ r. W. Edkidge-Green. M.D., edical Eesearch Fellow^ '[(Communicated by Prof. W. M. Bayliss, F.E.S. Eeceived April 24,— Eead May 18, 1911.) (From tbe Institute of Physiology, University College.) H a paper on the relation of light perception to colour perception,* and in- jHous writings,t I have stated that if a portion of the spectrum be ifeted, it will appear monochromatic, the length of the monochromatic- i jon varying with the intensity and wave-length of the light and the colour ] leption of the observer. Most normal sighted persons make about (iteen such di-visions in a bright spectrum, n a paper in the ‘ Proceedings of the Eoyal Society,Lord Eayleigh, 1st agreeing that the facts were as I stated in the conditions described by 1 expressed the opinion that he could distinguish between the wave- 4 ;ths included in a monochromatic division to the extent of discriminating ■ veen the colours of the two D lines. Lord Eayleigh kindly lent me the I lur box with which he had made the experiments, and, on repeating ' m in the manner described by him, I arrived at similar results. I hope, /rever, to be able to show that the results obtained by Lord Eayleigh were i to the admixture of small quantities of white and coloured light and to iain physiological influences which had not been taken into consideration, which prevented him from arriving at a correct interpretation of the )urs. f a prism, even of the finest polish, be examined with a strong light ■inst a dark background, numerous small particles and irregularities of the face, which irregularly disperse the light, will be seen. The reflections na the sides of the prisms, lenses, and sides of the box have also to be en into consideration. The amount of this irregularly dispersed light is all, but is a very important factor taken in conjunction with other facts, is necessary, therefore, in order to get rid of the greater part of this Jgularly dispersed light, to allow the light included in a monochromatic ;ion to pass through a second aperture, such as that in my spectrometer, sen this is done, 1 have found it impossible by any method which I have Jpted to distinguish between the various waves included in the mono- * ‘Eoy. Soc. Proc.,’ B, 1910, vol. 82, p. 458. + ‘ Colour Blindness and Colour Perception,’ International Scientific Series. + December, 1910.