Full Description
Exner's classic monograph describes the basic optical mechanisms in operation in compound eyes and, despite the passage of time, still remains a definitive work. Although his findings were seriously questioned during the modern revival of interest in compound eyes, all his major discoveries have now been validated. The principle of the lens cylinder and the elucidation of the mechanics of apposition and superposition optics are amongst his outstanding contributions. It also includes a broad survey of the optics and anatomy of the eyes of many insect and crustacean species, and the first explanation for the phenomena of pseudopupils and eyeglow. It has been faithfully translated from the original with annotations to aid the reader. The new edition, with a foreword by the late Karl von Frisch, also includes a concise illustrated appendix summarizing present knowledge of optical mechanisms in compound eyes and a useful bibliography.
Contents
I. Physical Principles.- II. Dioptrics of the Compound Eye.- Historical Background.- A. The Apposition Image of Limulus.- B. The Superposition Image of Lampyris.- C. Catoptric Function of the Cone.- III. The Iris Pigment and its function.- A. Insects.- B. Crustaceans.- IV. The Retinal Image of Various Insects and Crustaceans.- A. Superposition Images.- B. Apposition Images.- C. Bi-Functional Eyes.- V. The Retina, its Pigment and Tapetum.- A. The Tapetum.- B. The Retinal Pigment.- C. The Photomechanical Response of the Retinal Pigment.- VI. Eyes with Non-Uniform Construction.- VII. Short Descriptions of Selected Eyes of Insects and Crustaceans.- A. Insects.- B. Crustaceans.- VIII. The Eyes of Squilla, Phronima and Copilia.- A. Squilla mantis.- B. Phronima.- C. Copilia.- IX. Accessory Optical Phenomena in Compound Eyes.- A. Eyeshine.- B. The Phenomenon of the Pseudopupil.- X. Vision with Compound Eyes.- A. Resolution of the Retinal Image.- B. Distortions of the Retinal Image.- C. Seeing Movements.- D. Accommodation.- E. Depth Vision.- XI. Some Remarks on the Phylogeny of Compound Eyes Considered from a Functional Viewpoint.- References Cited by Exner.- Plates.- Notes.- Appendix I. Optical Mechanisms in Compound Eyes.- Appendix II. Exner's Species.- References to Notes and Appendices.
