DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18731#0103
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their refpective purpofes; we will confider, if
you pleafe, the eye a little clofely.
Often have I wondered at that contrivance
by which we are enabled at once to compre-
hend as it were the univerfe by a fpeckj at
that modification of originally inert and life-
lefs matter, by which is tranfmitted to the
mind che images of external objects. It con-
fifts of humors, which, unable to refift. inju-
ries, or to defend themfelves, are furrounded
by numerous guards; a (light accident, which
elfewhere might not deferve our notice, here be-
comes dangerous ■■> and therefore thefe are pro-
tected with extraordinary attention. The eye
is partly fecured, and as it were fortified, by the
form and projection of the furrounding fea-
tures, whofe folidity may refift violent at-
tacks; and partly by thofe curious curtains the
eye lids, whofe inftinctive attention is too
alert and watchful for every inimical in-
truder.
The ball of the eye floats with the utmoft
liberty in a kind of oil which lubricates its
furface, and facilitates its motion. The iris,
or ring of the eye, is fituated in the cen-
tre of the ball, and projects a.little from it,
thereby acquiring a more extenfive view of
furrounding objects. In the centre of the iris
is the pupil, an orifice through which the rays
of
their refpective purpofes; we will confider, if
you pleafe, the eye a little clofely.
Often have I wondered at that contrivance
by which we are enabled at once to compre-
hend as it were the univerfe by a fpeckj at
that modification of originally inert and life-
lefs matter, by which is tranfmitted to the
mind che images of external objects. It con-
fifts of humors, which, unable to refift. inju-
ries, or to defend themfelves, are furrounded
by numerous guards; a (light accident, which
elfewhere might not deferve our notice, here be-
comes dangerous ■■> and therefore thefe are pro-
tected with extraordinary attention. The eye
is partly fecured, and as it were fortified, by the
form and projection of the furrounding fea-
tures, whofe folidity may refift violent at-
tacks; and partly by thofe curious curtains the
eye lids, whofe inftinctive attention is too
alert and watchful for every inimical in-
truder.
The ball of the eye floats with the utmoft
liberty in a kind of oil which lubricates its
furface, and facilitates its motion. The iris,
or ring of the eye, is fituated in the cen-
tre of the ball, and projects a.little from it,
thereby acquiring a more extenfive view of
furrounding objects. In the centre of the iris
is the pupil, an orifice through which the rays
of