  Brane cosmologies with static, five-dimensional and Z_2 symmetric bulks are
analysed. A general solution generating mechanism is outlined. The qualatitive
cosmological behaviour of all such solutions is determined. Conditions for
avoiding naked bulk singularities are also discussed. The restrictions placed
on the solutions by the assumption of such a static bulk are investigated. In
particular the requirement of a non-standard energy-momentum conservation law.
The failure of such solutions to provide viable quintessence terms in the
Friedmann equations is also discussed.
