[92] Ἁμὁρφωτα. _On the Epipolic Dispersion of Light_, being a paper entitled, _On a case of Superficial Colour presented, by a homogeneous liquid internally colourless_. By Sir J. F. W. Herschel, Bart, K.H., F.R.S., &c.--_An epipolized beam of light_ (meaning thereby a beam which has once been transmitted through a quiniferous solution, and undergone its dispersing action) _is incapable of further undergoing epipolic dispersion_. In proof of this the following experiment may be adduced,--
A glass jar being filled with a quiniferous solution, a piece of plate glass was immersed in it vertically, so as to be entirely covered, and to present one face directly to the incident light. In this situation, when viewed by an eye almost perpendicularly over it, so as to graze either surface very obliquely, neither the anterior nor posterior face showed the slightest trace of epipolic colour. Now, the light, at its egress from the immersed glass, entered the liquid under precisely the same circumstances as that which, when traversing the anterior surface of the glass jar, underwent epipolic dispersion on first entering the liquid. It had, therefore, lost a property which it originally possessed, and could not, therefore, be considered _qualitatively_ the same light.--Philosophical Transactions, vol. cxxxvi.
[93] In connection with this view, the Newtonian theory should be consulted, for which see--_A Letter of_ Mr. Isaac Newton, _Professor of the Mathematicks in the University of Cambridge; containing his new Theory about Light and Colors: sent by the Author to the Publisher, from Cambridge, Feb. 6, 1671-72, in order to be communicated to the Royal Society._
[94] In that admirable work, _The Physical Atlas_ of Dr. Berghaus, of which a very complete edition by Alexander Keith Johnstone is published in this country, the following order of the distribution of plants is given:--
1. The region of palms and bananas Equatorial zone. 2. Tree ferns and figs Tropical zone. 3. Myrtles and laurels Sub-tropical zone. 4. Evergreen trees Warm temperate zone. 5. European trees Cold temperate zone. 6. Pines Sub-arctic zone. 7. Rhododendrons Arctic zone. 8. Alpine plants Polar zone.
Consult Humboldt, _Essai sur la Géographie des Plantes_, Paris, 1807; _De Distributione Geographicâ Plantarum_, Paris, 1817. Schouw, _Grundzüge der Pflanzengeographie_. Also his _Earth, Plants, and Man_; translated by Henfrey, in _Bohn’s Scientific Library_. Lamouroux, _Géographie Physique_. _The Plant, a Biography_: by Schleiden; translated by Henfrey. _Physical Geography_: by Mrs. Somerville.