On a Dynamical Top, for exhibiting the phenomena of the motion of a system of invariable form about a fixed point, with some suggestions as to the Earth's motion

by James Clerk Maxwell

[*] The second figure represents the sections made by a plane, perpendicular to the mean axis. They are all hyperbolas, except when

, when the section is two intersecting straight lines.

The third figure shows the sections perpendicular to the axis of least moment of inertia. From

to