Abstract
The light scattering method was used to study the anisotropy of turbidity (Ój) and elastic constants (Ki) of 8CB and PBLG nematics. Ój and Ki are influenced by surface effects, the cybotactic structure and the magnetic field. The relative order of magnitude of Ki in the 8CB monomer was in support of the hard-rod model (K1 < K3), but in PBLG was in accord with partially flexible model (K1 > K3).