The Eye
That we may better appreciate this adaptability and have a clearer understanding of the mechanism through which Innate Intelligence accomplishes this adaptative action we will review briefly the organ through which we perceive light—the human eye.
The eye consists of a crystalline lens, powerfully refractive, held between two transparent liquids called the aqueous humor, which is in front of the crystalline lens and the vitreous humor, which is behind or posterior to the crystalline lens. The aqueous chamber is divided into an anterior and posterior chamber by the diaphragm called the iris, through which is an opening called the pupil, permitting communication between the chambers of the aqueous humor. The retina, which is composed of nervous tissue, lines the posterior five-sixths of the inner surface of the posterior wall of the eyeball. At the back of the retina and in the direct visual axis is a spot known as the macula lutea, a yellow spot, in the center of which is a depression known as the fovea centralis. At this point the vision is clearest and it is this spot used when we turn our eyes and look directly at an object.
With such a delicate instrument as the eye it is only reasonable that special care and arrangement should be supplied to protect it from sudden changes in the intensity of light. Otherwise the eye would be greatly injured by the glare of light. This adaptation is accomplished by means of regulating the amount of light admitted to the retina. This is done through the expression of Innate by regulating the size of the pupil.
When the eye is exposed to light, vibrations are carried to the brain through the afferent nerve fibers and Innate Intelligence becomes aware of the light. If it is intense and is allowed to remain in contact with the retina the delicate nerve tissue will be injured. To compensate for this Innate Intelligence sends motor impulses to the circular fibers in the iris, causing them to contract and decrease the size of the pupil and thus shut out a part of the light rays. In a less intense light or in the darkness the muscular fibers are relaxed, enlarging the pupil and admitting more light. In all of this adaptative action there must be sufficient time, although the action does take place almost instantly. This action is not automatic as some would have us believe, but is intelligent and under the direct control of Innate Intelligence.
If we were living in the natural state of man’s existence there would be no need for a consideration of these natural laws governing the working of the human body and the intelligence which controls these manifestations; but as man has increased his knowledge and has made for himself a more or less artificial environment, it becomes necessary for him to understand the natural laws that he may adapt his artificial environment to them. If man lived in the open outdoors there would be no need for the artificial lighting of buildings; but since he has created buildings it becomes necessary for him to study the laws of nature that he may produce a condition in this environment conducive to the expression of life. In providing artificial light for our buildings the laws of the physical organ of sight must be considered. However, the question of lighting is not alone one of artificial production of light in our buildings, but also deals with proper admission of natural light from natural sources.