XIII. DEPARTMENT : 



ARCHI TECHNICS. 



IN the department of Architechnics, we include the study of the 

 Arts of Construction, and Communication or Convection ; that is of 

 building and conveyance ; comprehending, of course, the requisite 

 preliminary information. The name is derived from the Greek, 

 ap^ojj chief; and fegw?, an art; being suggested by the name of 

 Architecture, one of its prominent branches ; though, perhaps, suffi- 

 ciently appropriate, aside from this consideration. It naturally com- 

 prehends the study of the materials used in the arts, which may be 

 termed Hylurgy ; the construction of preparatory apparatus, or Ma- 

 chinery ; and the kindred branches of Architecture ; Civil Engineer- 

 ing, or Viatecture ; Ship Building, or Navitecture ; and the manage- 

 ment of vessels, or Navigation, including Seamanship. 



The study of materials and machinery, including the application 

 of mechanical forces, belongs in some degree to all the departments 

 of Technology : but as they find in this department some of their 

 most important uses, and must therefore, be studied here, at least in 

 part, we have chosen to include them generally, as introductory 

 branches of Architechnics ; referring back to them, in the subsequent 

 parts of the work, whenever there shall be occasion. We might 

 have considered these subjects as merely contingent to other branches; 

 and have treated of each kind of material or machine, only when 

 speaking of its application : but as the same article is often used for 

 various purposes, the description of it would still, in many cases, 

 have been separated from the account of its use ; while many im- 

 portant principles, relating to materials and machines in general, 

 would thus have been entirely neglected. 



The arts of construction, and of conveyance, are among those 

 which have highly contributed to the intellectual advancement of our 

 race ; and which have, therefore, received much attention from both 

 scientific men and statesmen. The modern improvements in public 

 and private edifices, especially in regard to warming and ventilation, 

 have provided new facilities for the elevated pursuits of science, and 

 safer depositories for its accumulated stores ; while public halls have 

 become more comfortable and attractive resorts, for those who seek 

 instruction or amusement. As knowledge has thus been accumulated 

 at central points, the numerous means of conveyance and communi- 

 cation, provided by ancient and modern art, have furnished the ne- 

 cessary channels for its general diffusion and circulation ; often re- 

 flecting back new and fresh supplies to the original sources. Con- 

 sidered in this point of view, the arts of Commerce and Printing 



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