especially fitted for experiments of this nature, because of its comparative opacity amongst bodies, and yet possession of a real transparency; because of its development of colour both in the reflected and transmitted ray; because of the state of tenuity and division which it permitted with the preservation of its integrity as a metallic body; because of its supposed simplicity of character; and because known phenomena appeared to indicate that a mere variation in the size of its particles gave rise to a variety of resultant colours. Besides, the waves of light are so large compared to the dimensions of the particles of gold which in various conditions can be subjected to a ray, that it seemed probable the particles might come into effective relations to the much smaller vibrations of the ether particles; in which case, if reflexion, refraction, absorption, &c., depended upon such relations, there was reason to expect that these functions would change sensibly by the substitution of different sized particles of this metal for each other. At one time I hoped that I had altered one coloured ray into another by means of gold, which would have been equivalent to a change in the number of undulations; and though I have not confirmed that result as yet, still those I have obtained seem to me to present a useful experimental entrance into certain physical investigations respecting the nature and action of a ray of light. I do not pretend that they are of great value in their present state, but they are very suggestive, and they may save much trouble to any experimentalist inclined to pursue and extend this line of investigation.
Gold-leaf—effect of heat, pressure, &c.
Beaten gold-leaf is known in films estimated at the 1282000 th of an inch in thickness; they are translucent, transmitting green light, reflecting yellow, and absorbing portion. These leaves consist of an alloy in the proportions of 12 silver and 6 copper to 462 of pure gold. 2000 leaves 3⅜ths of an inch square are estimated to weigh 384 grains. Such gold-leaf is no doubt full of holes, but having, in conjunction with Mr. W. De la Rue, examined it in the microscope with very high powers (up to 700 linear), we are satisfied that it is truly transparent where the gold is continuous, and that the light transmitted is green. By the use of the balance Mr. De la Rue found that the leaf employed was on the average 1278000 th of an inch thick.
