This edition first published 1912, University of Chicago Press. This book reproduces the text of the original edition. The content and language reflect the beliefs, practices and terminology of their time, and have not been updated. In which are explained The causes of that which occurs In REFLEXION & in REFRACTION; And particularly In the strange REFRACTION OF ICELAND CRYSTAL. 本书出版于1690年，是惠更斯光学研究的重要著作，副标题是"其中解释了反射和折射，尤其是冰岛水晶的奇异折射发生的各种原因"。主要介绍了惠更斯所建立的光的波动学说，建立了著名的惠更斯原理。惠更斯原理是近代光学的一个重要基本理论。光的波动学说，打破了当时流行的光的微粒学说，在光学科学发展中产生了重大的影响。本书是根据Silvanus P. Thompson的1912年英译本重排。