On entering a room, we imagine that we see the whole side of it at once, as the cornice, the pattern of the paper-hanging, pictures, chairs, &c., but we are deceived; for each object is rapidly, but singly presented to the eye, by its constant motion. If the eye were steady, vision would be lost. For example, fix the eye on one point, and you will find the whole scene become more and more obscure, till it vanishes. Then, if you change the direction of the eye ever so little, at once the whole scene will be again perfect before you.
SINGLE VISION WITH TWO EYES.
As we have two eyes, and a separate image of every external object is formed in each, it may be asked, why do we not see double? The answer is, it is a matter of habit. Habit alone teaches us, that the sensations of sight correspond to any thing external, and shows to what they correspond. Thus, place a wafer on a table before you; direct your eyes to it, that is, bring its image on both retinæ to those parts which habit has ascertained to be the most sensible, and best situated for seeing distinctly, and you will see only the single wafer. But, while looking at the wafer, squeeze the upper part of one eye downwards, by pressing on the eyelid with the finger, and thereby forcibly throw the image on another part of the retina of that eye, and double vision will be immediately produced; that is, two wafers will be distinctly seen, which will appear to recede from each other as the pressure is stronger, and approach, and finally blend into one, as it is relieved. The same effect maybe produced without pressure, by directing the eyes to a point nearer to, or farther from them, than the wafer; the optic axes, in this case, being both directed away from the object seen.
TWO OBJECTS SEEN AS ONE.
On a sheet of black paper, or other dark ground, place two white wafers, having their centres three inches distant. Vertically above the paper, and to the left, look with the right eye, at twelve inches from it, and so that, when looking down on it, the line joining the two eyes shall be parallel to that joining the centre of the wafers. In this situation, close the left eye, and look full with the right perpendicularly at the wafer below it, when this wafer only will be seen, the other being completely invisible. But, if it be removed ever so little from its place, either to the right or left, above or below, it will become immediately visible, and start, as it were, into existence. The distances here set down may, perhaps, vary slightly in different eyes.
Upon this curious effect, Sir John Herschel observes: “It will cease to be thought singular, that this fact of the absolute invisibility of objects in a certain point of the field of view of each eye, should be one of which not one person in ten thousand is apprised, when we learn, that it is not extremely uncommon to find persons who have for some time been totally blind with one eye, without being aware of the fact.”
ONLY ONE OBJECT CAN BE SEEN AT A TIME.
Look at the pattern of the paper-hanging of a room, a picture, or almost any other object in it; then, without altering your position, call to mind the magnificent dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral; the pattern of the paper-hanging, or the subject of the picture, though actually impressed on the retina of the eye, will be momentarily lost sight of by the mind; and, during the instant, the recollected image of the dome rising from the dingy roofs of London, will be distinctly seen, but in indistinct colouring and outline. When the object of the recollection is answered, the dome will quickly disappear, and the paper-hanging pattern, or the picture, again resume the ascendancy.