Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-06-11

The Marvel Of Nature
In attempting to write of the marvels of
nature in this aye of scientific development,
one scarcely knows at what point, or With
what element to commence, for within the
last half century, every element, as we'll as
everything we use-our food, clothing, dwell
lings, modes of travel, and weapons of war,
as well as implements of peace, have all come
within the reach of science, much to our all
vantage. The application of chemistry to
food, agriculture and sanitary reforms, has
heightened the life of the present generation
at least five years longer than its predecessors,
while the application of steam to manufac-
lures, land and water travel, and electricity to
commercial purposes, enables us of this age
to conduct as much business in one year as
our grandfathers could in ten. 1t is an unde-
niable truth that no race of men ever existed
who have seen SO many OF the marvels OF
science, or who knew so much of nature as
this generation. Yet, withal, the very cle-
ment by which all nature is seen, the very
source of beauty-ligkt-is as great mystery
to US as when ''God said let there be light,
and there was light"
None of the elements by which we are sur
rounded appear to the uninstructed eye SO
simple as light. 1t is less material than air,
it is infinitely less than water, which serves
our purposes rs ice and vapOr. Science has
not yet been able to discover what light is.
We don't know what light is any more than
we know what the electric fluid consists of,
in the subtle agent that conveys our messages
across the continent.
Electricity gives US pleasing sensation, or
q smart shock, or strike US dead; coats the
baser metals with gllttering gold or silver; !;
generates a motive power for pOnderous ma
chi nArv. L q liOht Of inforaA hri1lionCvy
and performs thousand services for US with
out our knowing exactly what it is. Light is
infinitely more necessary to our comfort and
happiness, serves even more important pur-
poses; but we know no more of the nature
of the one than we do of the other.
Without knowing thoroughly its nature.
science has demonstrated that the simplest
ray of light consists of many colored parts.
Newton first split the solar rays into seven
distinct parts by means of the prism, although
the rainbow has done the same thing since the
dawn of the worlds creation. Since the dis
coyery of Newton, botanists, chemists and
photographers have derived great benefit by
knowledge of the various properties of the
several rays of light. The generative ray,
the heat ray, and the actinicray. differ greatly
in their effect in natures great laboratory.
Late investigations have proven that the
active ray is more powerful in the newNvorld
than in the DID, This will account for the
superiority of American sun pictures, particu-
larly of those taken on this coast.
The boundaries of our knowledge of light,
though quite circumscribed comparatively,
have been much enlarged during the past
twenty years by the discovery of its polariza-
ton, which, in manner, enables us to anyl-
izc ito concentrate its peculiar parts for
our use. We know of no greater than the
examination of objects with polarized light
under the microscope. 1t renders visible min
ute details of structure IN the most beautiful
colols, and enables the student of nature to
ascertain the difference of desity or elasticity
of substances, such as no other means could
detect. 1t not only exposes frauds and adul-
teration in the substance we purchase, but
by its peculiar power shows us the cause of
disease and death existing in what, by the
uninitiated, are considered the elements of
health,
There is very general misconception as
to the power or principle to which certain
phenomena, the result of exposure to SUM-
shine, are to be referred In general, light is
regarded as the principle in such action;
whereas, most frequently it has nothing what
ever to do with it, The solar rays which are
so commonly spoken of as light, contain, in
addition to their luminous power, calorifc
and chemical powers, and there is good rea-
son to believe. electric power also. All these
powers are employed in the arts separately.
The beautiful art photography owes it's orr
gin to the discovery of the chemical or acti-
mic property in the suns rays.