Ray

(ra.) [Fr. raie; L. radius.] (Bot.) Same as RADIUS, q.v.- (Opt.) A beam of light, i uing from a distant point; said to be direct, if it comes immediately from such point; reflected, if it first impinge upon any body before being transmitted to the eye. The mixed solar beam conveys Calorific Rays (q. v.), and Chemical Rays, which latter produce certain effects on the composition of bodies, but neither heat, vision, nor color.-(Zool.) See RAIIDE. Ray, JOHN, an English naturalist, B. in E ex, 1628; D. 1705. He was author of a New Method of Plants (highly spoken of by Cuvier); a Universal History of Plants; and Synopsis of Quadrupeds and Serpents. [s. 756]