A wire-drawing die and rods sustaining weight
A continuous rod, infinitely divisible, can hold up any weight against a small one
At the top a boxlike component of a wire-drawing machine (a trafila, or draw-plate) is sketched in perspective. Below, two horizontal rods are shown: one suspended above a tall rectangular weight and lettered r a b c n s and g, the other carrying small weights and lettered 1 2 3 4, d c and f. Leonardo argues that because a continuous quantity is divisible to infinity, the rod d c can in principle sustain an infinite weight against a small weight placed at f, and that the simple rod r s can do the same when its support is fixed somewhere between a and s.
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Component of a wire-drawing machine (trafila)
The perspective sketch at the top of the sheet is labelled as a part of a machine for drawing wire, the trafila or draw-plate. It is drawn as a slotted box seen from above.
Rod suspended over a great weight
A horizontal rod hangs above a tall rectangular block that stands for an enormous weight. Its points are lettered r a b c n s, with g marking the load.
Infinite divisibility and the power to sustain weight
Because every continuous quantity is divisible to infinity, the rod d c can potentially, in some part of itself, sustain an infinite weight against a small weight placed at f. The simple rod r s can do the same, provided its support is attached somewhere between a and s.