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John Murray (1785-1851), a writer and lecturer on many different scientific topics, published this collection of essays, on what might be called the physics of biology, in 1826. The first essay, on the luminosity of glow-worms, begins with an extensive discussion of the beauty and effects of light, and the various ways of creating it, before considering the various theories of light and optics current at the time. Supplied with specimens from Sweeney Hall in Shropshire, where they flourished, he performed various experiments on the 'luminous spherulae' which were the source of the glow-worm's light, trying to establish their chemical composition, and the time they would remain glowing in different media and temperatures. The same attention to detail and ingenious analysis are shown in the other studies, on the luminosity of the sea, the strength and lightness of spider webs, the chameleon's colour changes, and 'the torpidity of the tortoise'.
Table des matières
Advertisement; 1. On the light and luminous matter of the 'Lampyris noctiluca' or glow-worm; 2. On the luminosity of the sea; 3. On the phenomena of the chameleon; 4. On the ascent of the spider into the atmosphere and on its power of propelling threads; 5. On torpidity as connected with the 'Testudo graeca' or common tortoise.
A propos de l'auteur
John Murray born of Greek/Irish parents and brought up in Edwardian England soon found himself working in Latvia. Having achieved a commercial education at Pitman's College he was put in charge of managing a cigarette factory. Later, he became its owner while also running an import export business in the Baltic States.
As war loomed large in Europe his fortunes changed. He was called upon to work for the British Government eventually finding himself as a cypher in the British Embassy, Moscow. During this time, John a highly insightful self-made individual succumbed to the entreaties of a desperate human being and found himself engulfed in the intricacies of Soviet WWII espionage and counter-intelligence.
Résumé
John Murray, a writer on many different scientific topics, published this collection of essays, on what might be called the physics of biology, in 1826. His studies cover glow-worms, the luminosity of the sea, the strength and lightness of spider webs, the chameleon's colour changes, and 'the torpidity of the tortoise'.
