Architectural members and extensible lattice mechanisms
Columns, capitals, arches and cornices; scissor-lattice devices; notes on motion and on water
A crowded sheet of studies dominated by architectural members - columns, capitals, arches, cornices and a small domed lantern - with several extensible scissor-lattice (lazy-tong) mechanisms sketched at the upper left. Brief notes state two natural laws: that every impetuous motion bends toward the least resistance, and that flowing water wears away its bed where it descends and throws up a wave where it rises. Other jottings record that the mills of the Castle can be taken, a maxim that he who is given back what was taken suffers no loss, and a small plan inscribed San Marco, Cosimo and Giovannino.
On this page
Studies of columns, capitals, arches and cornices
The centre and right of the sheet are filled with architectural members: fluted and plain columns, capitals, entablatures, cornices and arched openings, together with a small domed lantern. These are drawn studies, not described in the transcribed notes.
Extensible scissor-lattice (lazy-tong) mechanisms
At the upper left are several extensible lattice mechanisms built of crossed, pivoted bars that expand and contract like lazy tongs. They appear as repeated schematic diagrams above a more finished lattice with jointed pivots.
How water wears its bed and raises a wave
Beside figures of waves at the right, Leonardo notes that where water descends in contact with the earth it consumes its bed, and where it rises it discharges, forming the wave.
Impetuous motion bends toward the least resistance
Written with the sheet turned on its left side: every impetuous motion bends toward the lesser resistance, fleeing the greater, and where the resistances are equal it penetrates with its smaller side.
Planimetric drawing inscribed with names
A small ground plan is annotated San Marco, Cosimo and Giovannino, and a parallelogram nearby is lettered a - b. It sits among the architectural studies on the sheet.