PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Evening Star, Issue 20778, 28 April 1931, Page 4

PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGY

CLUB'S “ OPEN NIGHT " Miss 0. Mercer presided at the last “open night” of tho above club, when Mr J. Garfield Anderson ■ addressed tho meeting on the ‘ Beauty of Colour iu Nature.’ Tho lecturer, when dealing with some of the many interesting facts related to the phenomena of colour, explained that light is diffused or split up, as it passes through a prism into rays or waves, and a band of various colours is seen. The same effect is produced when rain drops split up the sunlight, and a rainbow appears. In the human eye are three pigments giving rise to red, green, and blue, and these are capable of being excited When all are stimulated at the same time white light is seen, and it is according to the length of a light wave that a "pigment is excited and colour sensation produced. The pigments are differently stimulated in different people, and where pigmentation is lacking or deficient, people are colour blind. Sunlight has heat light and chemical power; invisible' light rays such as ultra violet, X rays, etc., are used medically. Colours commonly alluded to are tho seven of the spectrum which are capable of being blended into many different shades. The eye,is able to respond to only a limitecl number of colours, because a wave length may be too small or too long to bo registered, but there is an infinite variety of colour and form abounding in our world, and it exists for a purpose and explanation. The human race is classed according to colour. Because of dust particles m the air our sky is coloured bine. There is a Red, Green, Yellow, and White Sea, all named because of their respective colouring. The four seasons are characterised by a riot of colouring. Every season portrays a picture never seen before, and one that will not bo seen again. Flowers and berries are coloured to attract insects and birds for purposes of cross-pollination, apd aid in processes of propagation of its kind. Butterflies have a pronounced sense of colour, preferring the _ bright flowers. The colour scheme in tho animal and bird world is frequently for purposes of protection. Fish also are coloured harmoniously with sand and river beds that they may elude their enemies. In ocean depths where light does not penetrate rich diversity of colour is to bo found, tho phosphorescent lighting being given out by the animals thorn-.elves. Inanimate Nature contributes to beauty in glonous-huod gems mid minerals; even the thinning film of a soap bubble is lit with irndescent beauty. Mystery of light has always appealed to man, darkness being associated with death and gloom. But man had to bo protected or relieved from the monotony of white light, and colouring with its accompanying beauty was provided. Tho speaker referred to the want of appreciation of beauty of the world. The modern standard does not reach to that of the ancient Greeks. The secret of the magnificently stained glass used in the cathedrals of the Middle Ages is lost because the knowledge of the right chemicals is not now known. In our worship of false gods a price has to be paid. Aristotle held the idea that light is due to waves. Sir Isaac Newton succeeded in placing this idea on a scientific basis, and the knowledge yielded and is still yielding further facts. A world of beauty surrounds us continually, yet now many look upon the gradation of colour in the blue of sky oi ocean, let alone think upon it, and the eye can also bo trained to observe the glorious colour of the stars Education in the appreciation of beauty is necessary. Many enter the Temple of Goodness through tho Gates of Beauty. At the conclusion of tho lecture, cn behalf of members, Mr A. Watson warmly thanked Mr Anderson. During the evening Mrs J. G. Anderson and Miss Bessie Paine contributed much-appreciated vocal and musical items.