ANACLASTICS

, or Anaclatics, an ancient name for that part of Optics which considers refracted light; | being the same as what is more usually called dioptrics. See the Compendium of Ambrosius Rhodius, lib. 3. Opticæ, pa. 384 & seq.

Anaclastic Curves, a name given by M. de Mairan to certain apparent curves formed at the bottom of a vessel full of water, to an eye placed in the air; or the vault of the heavens, seen by refraction through the atmosphere.

M. de Mairan determines these curves by a principle not admitted by all authors; but Dr. Barrow, at the end of his Optics, determines the same curves by other principles.