Heavy parts long to return upward; three cited authors
A continued reflection on weight and desire, with a memorandum of three ancient authorities
The page continues the notebook's meditation on weight in mirror script. Leonardo writes that the heavy parts once driven from above have formed themselves into bodies that remain in continual desire to return upward. Below, set off by a rule, he jots a short memorandum of three ancient authorities — Nonius Marcellus, Festus Pompeius, and Marcus Varro — marked with asterisks as references to consult.
On this page
Heavy parts desire to return upward
Leonardo observes that the heavy parts driven down from above have created of themselves bodies that always stand in continual desire to return up there. The note frames gravity as an intrinsic longing of matter toward its place.
Three ancient authorities noted for reference
Beneath the reflection he lists three names, each preceded by an asterisk: Nonius Marcellus, Festus Pompeius, and Marcus Varro. The jotting reads as a memorandum of authors to consult.