264

THEORY OF AHCIHTECTUIIE. Book IL

BOOK II.
THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE.
CHAP. I.
MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICS OF CONSTRUCTION.
Sect. I.
GEOMETRY.
874 Geometry is that science which treats of the relations and properties of the boun-
daries of either body or space. We do not consider it would be useful here to notice the
history of the science; neither is it necessary to enter into the reasons which have induced
us to adopt the system of Rossignol, from whom we extract this section, otherv/ise than to
state that we hone to conduct the student by a simpler and more intelligible method to
those results with which he must be acquainted.
The limits of liody or space are surfaces, and the boundaries of surfaces are lines, and the
terminations of lines are points. Bounded spaces are usually called solids, whether occupied
bv
body or not; tlie subject, therefore, is naturallv divided into three parts.lines, smtaces,
and solids ; and these have two \arieties, dependent on their being straight or curved.
875.
Geometrical inquiry is conducted in the form of propositions, problems, and demon-
strations, being always the result of comparing equal parts or measures. Now, the parts
compared may be either lines or angles, or both ; hence, the nature of each method should
be separately considered, and then the united power of l)Otli employed to facilitate the
demonstration of propositions. But the reader must first understand tliese
Definitions.
1. A solid is tliat which has length, breadth, and thickness. A slab of marble, for
instance, is a solid, since it is long, broad, and tliick.
'2.
A
surface is that which has length and breadth, v/ithout thickness.
A leaf of pa]ier,
though not in strictness, inasmuch as it has thickness, may convey tlie idea of a surface.
3. A line is that which has length, but neither breadth nor thickness.
As in the case of
a surface, it is difficult to convey the strict notion of a line, yet an infinitely thin line,
as a hair, may convey the idea of a line : a thread drawn tight, a straight line.
4. A point is that which has neither length, breadth, nor thickness.
5. If a line be carried about a point A, so that its other extremity
b
passes from B to C, from C to D, &c.
(fg.
22.'3.
), the point B,
in its revolution, will describe a curve BCUFGLB. This
curve line is called the circumference of a circle. The circle is
the space enclosed by this circumference. The point A, which,
in the formation of the circle is at rest, is called the centre.
The right lines AC, AD, AF, &c. drawn from the centre to the
circumference, are called radii. A diameter is a right line which
passes through the centre, and is terminated both ways by the
circumference. The line DAL, for example, is a diameter. An
Fig. 223.
arc is a part of a circumference, as FG.
6. The circumference of a circle is divide'i into 360 equal parts, called degrees ; each degree
is divided into 60 parts, called minutes, and each minute into 60 parts, called secojids.
7. Two right lines drawn from the same point, and diverging from each other, form an
opening which is called an anple. An angle is comtnonly
expressed by three letters, and it is usual to place in the
middle that letter which marks the point wlience the
lines diverge; thus, we say the angle BAC or DAF
(ffl.
224.), and not the angle ABC or ACB.
8. The magnitude of an angle does not depend on the lines
by which it is formed, but upon their distance from each
other. How far soever the lines AB, AC are continued,
the angle remains tlie same. One angle is greater than
another when the lines of equal length by which it is
formed are more distant. Tims the angle BAL
(Jip.
22,'5.) is greater than the angle
CAB, because the lines AB, AL are more distant from each other or include a greater
arc than the lines AC, AB. If the legs of a pair of compasses be a little separated,
an angle is formed ; if they be opened wider, the angle becomes greater ; if they be
brought nearer, the angle becomes less.