University of Virginia Library

IV.—NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

PROFESSOR FRANCIS H. SMITH.

There are three classes in this school: the Junior and Senior
classes of Natural Philosophy, and the class of Geology and Mineralogy.

The Junior course commences with an exposition of the leading
doctrines of equilibrium and motion, so far as they can be
established by an easy deduction from admitted axioms, aided,
when necessary, by simple geometrical theorems. Notice is
taken of the application of these doctrines to machinery, and to
the figure and motions of the planetary bodies. This is followed
by an account of the structure and physical properties of fluids,
including a discussion of the laws of their pressure and motion,
with their applications, and the theory and construction of the
principal Pneumatic and Hydraulic machines. The relations
between the several forms of matter, and the laws of Endosmose
and Capillarity, are then presented. The latter part of the
course is devoted to Acoustics, Optics, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism.
Full and frequent experimental illustrations of the subjects
taught are given, whenever practicable.

The course of study in the Senior class embraces a mathematical
discussion of the doctrines of Statics and Dynamics, the
laws of Friction and Strength of Materials, concluding with Pur
Astronomy.

The class in Mineralogy and Geology is first occupied with a
study of the formation, properties and localities of the leading
minerals, and the simpler methods of recognition and analysis.
This is succeeded by a presentation of the leading facts and
generalizations of geology, illustrated by sections and diagrams.
Throughout the course, specimens of the most important minerals
and rocks are exhibited.

Text-Books.—Elements of Mech. Philosophy, by Professor
W. B. Rogers; Lardner's Hand-books; Smith's Mechanics;
Dana's Mineralogy; Lyell's or Richardson's Elementary Geology.