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The systematic investigation of contour integrals satisfying the system of partial differential equations associated with Appell's hypergeometric function$F$_{1}leads to new solutions of that system. Fundamental sets of solutions are given for the vicinity of all singular points of the system of partial differential equations. The transformation theory of the solutions reveals connections between the system under consideration and other hypergeometric systems of partial differential equations. Presently it is discovered that any hypergeometric system of partial differential equations of the second order (with two independent variables) which has only three linearly independent solutions can be transformed into the system of$F$_{1}or into a particular or limiting case of this system. There are also other hypergeometric systems (with four linearly independent solutions) the integration of which can be reduced to the integration of the system of$F$_{1}.

In the study of geometric objects that arise naturally, the main tools are either groups or equations. In the rst case, powerful algebraic methods are available and enable one to solve many deep problems. While algebraic methods are still important in the second case, analytic methods play a dominant role, especially when the dening equations are transcendental. Indeed, even in the situation where the geometric object is homogeneous or algebraic, analytic methods often lead to important contributions. In this talk, we shall discuss a class of problems in differential geometry and the analytic methods that are involved in solving such problems.