The experimental evidence suggests that among the cones there are three different types of color reception. Response curves for the three types of cones have been determined. Since the perception of color depends on the firing of these three types of nerve cells, it follows that visible color can be mapped in terms of three numbers called tristimulus values . Color perception has been successfully modeled in terms of tristimulus values and mapped on the CIE chromaticity diagram . More rod details Index Vision concepts Color vision concepts Reference Hecht, 2nd Ed.
Rods are absent there but dense elsewhere.
Measured density curves for the rods and cones on the retina show an enormous density of cones in the fovea centralis. To them is attributed both color vision and the highest visual acuity. Visual examination of small detail involves focusing light from that detail onto the fovea centralis. On the other hand, the rods are absent from the fovea. At a few degrees away from it their density rises to a high value and spreads over a large area of the retina.