The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-06

JoSIA
Trxonometry is the science of trangles, and an
art than a science. The term is derived from three
Greek words tri three gonia, corner; and neron,
ure II hence literally means the measure OF uiangles;
really and practically measuring by triaDgles So curl
ous useful and wonderful the properties oil Iiangles
as to constitute instruments and furnish modes for meas
uring any body however Irregular and whether OF
two or three dimensions-eDgh, or length and BREADTH
or LENGTH breadth. and thickness. They also furnish
instruments for measuring bodies, however distant. al
least within the distance OF the and extended much
beyond it, The heights of mountains the distances Of
bodies across rivers and the dimensions OF them,
other intervening objects at distance well as those
accessible or hand BY the wonderful powers OF
ranges can be determined with great accuracy. and by
very simple modes Surveying, navigation, astronomy
architecture. and the squarng of every
building erected have rgonometry some one OF more
properties of trangles, at their foundation
Every three sided figure called triangle or tgon
anguiu being the Latin and gonna the Greek OF the word
angle or corner Threesided figures OF plain surfaces
and bounded by straight lines, called plain trianges
When OF curved surfaces and bounded BY curved lines
they are called curved anges When bounded by three
grea, circles of sphereas the equator, eclptic and
meridian of the sarth-a three-sided figure is called a
spherical Triangle and the science relating to that class OF
trianges is called spherical igononery, as that to plain
triangles is called plain rgonometry The properties OF
these two classes OF figures are so different
and distinct and each important. both to science and
art a. TO constitute two separate sciences, and each I'M
portant If not essential to the other
or plain trianges there six different knds-three
differing in their sides and three in their angles. When
ali the sides are equal or OF the length, any three
aided figure is called an eQuilaera triangle. When two
s;dea are equal and either longer or shorter than the
third il il called an isosceles Triangle When all the
sides are Unequal or Of different lengths, il is called
.caene triangle Every plain triangle, having right
angle "A no one can have two 10 called right angle
triansle II one angle is obtuse or larger than right
ANGLE il is called obtuse angle triangle II all the
angles are acute or smaller (shaper than right ANGLE
Is called an acute angle triangle latriangle have one
right angle and two equal Sides il right angled isos
cees Triangle combining the properties both Of triangss
and squares The whole secret OF the Chinese Pusses
in The right angea sosceles triangle Fifty or even
smaller number Of pieces of wood, paper, ivory, por
ceain glass, other material, in the shape OF right
anged sosceles Triangle say inch Tor each OF the
two equal sides, be combined into forms literally
without number, illustrating natural and artificial me-
chanism in forms exceedingly beautiful and curious and
applicable both in scientific and business operations TO
an extent without limits
ExprarMENTs.-Let any teacher parent give to his
pupils or children, "a a forenoon exercise. an excur-
sion for examining and collecting minerals other OBJ
iects OF Nature coming under their observation Al
afternoon exercise lei them draw and describe upon their
slaes or upon paper or boh the various objects thus
coming under the observation II they should find
mineral and draw three-sde figure, they would "nsake
bseianisg," - the work OF one day. in cabinet Of
Nature and Art" illustrating agriculture and mechanism
and take the st step towards preparing specimens for
agricultural fairs" for which premiums offered by
the Maryland Society, they doubtless will be awarded
by any society thus favored by the work of young hands
and generous minds.