University of Virginia Library

IV.—NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

Professor Rogers.—There are two classes in this school, viz:—The
general or Junior, and the Senior class. In the former, the illustrations are
experimental and graphical, with occasional references to the elementary
truths of Geometry and Algebra. In the latter mathematical demonstration
is almost exclusively employed, sometimes involving the use of the
calculus.

The various subjects embraced in this school are treated of in the following
order, viz:—

Mechanics, including Statics, Dynamics, Laws of Impulse and Pressure,
and Corpuscular Forces, Strength of Materials, Friction and Machinery;
Hydrodynamics, including Hydrostatics, Hydraulics, Capillary Attraction,
&c.—Pneumatics; Acoustics; Heat, including Meteorology and the Steam
Engine; Electricity and Galvanism; Magnetism; Electro-Magnetism; Optics,
Astronomy.

The text-books referred to in the Senior Class, are Lardner's Mechanics,
Hydrostatics and Pneumatics; Brewster's Optics, by Bache—Herschell's
Astronomy—Lardner on the Steam Engine, and the Treatises in the Library
of Useful Knowledge on Mechanics, Hydrostatics and Hydraulics,
Pneumatics, Heat, Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism and Electro-Magnetism.
The text-books in the senior class are the Cambridge Mechanics.
Young's Analytical Mechanics, and a selection of propositions in Optics
and Astronomy.

In the senior class the students are examined upon the subjects of lecture
in the general class, as well as the Mathematical Demonstrations referred
to in their text-books.

The Apparatus provided for the school of Natural Philosophy is very
extensive and complete, and thus enables the Professor to illustrate every
part of his course by experiments in the presence of his class. An Observatory,
with its appropriate astronomical instruments, is also attached to
this school.