A metric property of umbilic points

Abstract

In the space $\mathbb U^4$ of cubic forms of surfaces, regarded as a $G$-space and endowed with a natural invariant metric, the ratio of the volumes of those representing umbilic points with negative to those with positive indexes is evaluated in terms of the asymmetry of the metric, defined here. A connection of this ratio with that reported by Berry and Hannay (1977) in the domain of Statistical Physics, is discussed.