Red Rivers, yellow Roads, Enclosures yellow and light green, Woods and Hedges dark green, were the only Objects clearly distinguishable, and their Colouring extremely vivid. The Sun’s Rays reflected from the Surface of the Sea, and other Waters, dazzled the Sight.
All living Creatures were invisible.
224. The Area of each Inclosure, computed to contain a certain Number of Acres, was seen from above under the Form of a Miniature Picture of a certain Magnitude or visible Extension, perpetually diminishing, as the Eye recedes to a greater Distance.
And the Case is similar, whether the Miniature be seen from above, or along the Ground.
The Miniature also lessens as the Distance encreases, according to a certain Proportion so exactly;[49] That,
1. If the Distance and Magnitude of a tangible Object be known by Mensuration; a Judgment is formed, and Laws laid down, for its corresponding Miniature on the Eye.
2. If the Miniature be seen, and Distance known by Mensuration; the Mind forms a Judgment of its tangible Magnitude.
3. And lastly, if the Miniature be seen, and Magnitude of a tangible Object is known by Mensuration; the Mind makes an Effort, to the Estimation of its Distance from the Eye.
These are some, among many Modes of Comparison, by which the Mind acquires a tolerable Degree of Proficiency, in estimating Distances of familiar Objects, known from the Appearance of their respective Miniatures on the Fund or Bottom of the Eye.
And so far most Theories agree.