Some of his remarks on the subject of compound colors, however, may be stated in part.

Newton's views are of particular interest in this connection, since, as we have already pointed out, the question as to what constituted color could not be agreed upon by the philosophers.

Some held that color was an integral part of the substance; others maintained that it was simply a reflection from the surface; and no scientific explanation had been generally accepted.
Newton concludes his paper as follows: "I might add more instances of this nature, but I shall conclude with the general one that the colors of all natural bodies have no other origin than this, that they are variously qualified to reflect one sort of light in greater plenty than another.

And this I have experimented in a dark room by illuminating those bodies with uncompounded light of divers colors.

For by that means any body may be made to appear of any color.