PREFACE. 



THE subject of statics is here developed only so far as is absolutely 

 necessary in order to lay the foundation on the one hand for the study 

 of elementary kinetics, on the other for applied mechanics. From 

 the former point of view it was desirable to bring out clearly the con- 

 nection of the subject with the general science of mechanics and to 

 determine its place as a subdivision of the larger science. The second 

 section of Chapter III should be considered only as preliminary ; the 

 fundamental laws of dynamics can of course be fully understood only 

 by studying kinetics. Prominence is given throughout to geometrical 

 methods and graphical constructions because these seem to conform 

 best to the nature of the subject. The applications given here and 

 there are to be regarded merely as illustrations of the general prin- 

 ciples. 



The following articles might be omitted at first reading : 18, 19, 20, 

 34, 43, 44, 48, 52, 113, 117-127, 152-164, 180, 181, 209, 210, 214, 

 220-225, 2 57~ 2 ^5- 



ALEXANDER ZIWET. 



ANN ARBOR, MICH., 

 October, 1893. 



