Compared with the original German edition this volume contains the results of more recent research which have to some extent originated from problems raised in the previous German edition. Moreover, many minor and some important modifications have been carried out. For example paragraphs 2 — 5 were amended and their order changed. On the advice of G. Pickert, paragraph 7 has been thoroughly revised. Many improvements originate from H. J. Weinert who, by enlisting the services of a working team of the Teachers' Training College of Potsdam, has subjected large parts of this book to an exact and constructive review. This applies particularly to paragraphs 9, 50, 51, 60, 63, 66, 79, 92, 94, 97 and 100 and to the exercises. In this connection paragraphs 64 and 79 have had to be partly rewritten in consequence of the correction