River flow: continuity and velocity of water
Propositions that a river carries equal water through every part of its length, varying only in speed
This narrow strip of paper, written with the sheet turned upside down, states a series of propositions on the flow of rivers. The core claim, repeated in several forms, is that if a river is neither increased nor diminished, the same quantity of water passes through every part of its length in equal time, however the channel narrows, widens, winds or deepens, the water merely changing its speed. A short note in the left column, tied to a double figure of water flowing among obstacles, adds that water striking an object leaps back and checks the impetus it had begun.
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Equal water passes through every section of a river
If the water of a river is neither added to nor drawn off, an equal quantity passes through every degree of its length in equal times, even though the channel varies in width, depth and winding. Where the water was previously retarded it becomes proportionally more rapid, so continuity of flow is preserved.
Water striking an obstacle rebounds and checks its impetus
Accompanying a double figure of water running among obstacles, the note observes that water striking against the object leaps backward. This rebound retards the impetus the current had already begun.