Always note the uses of the science of water; a swimmer's survival
How a swimmer should escape whirlpools, avoid rocks and steer ships in storms
Leonardo reminds himself that when he assembles the science of the motions of water he must set beneath each proposition its practical benefits, so the science not be useless. He then plans a treatment of the swimmer's craft: how to deal with surface whirlpools and the eddies that drag swimmers under, how a submerged man should govern himself to save his life, and, as the marvellous matter to close each book, how to break the strength of eddies in any direction, swim in sea storms, avoid the impact of rocks and steer ships. A small red-chalk drawing of a doorway, gone over in pen, sits on the sheet.
On this page
Set the uses beneath each proposition on water
A working reminder to himself: when he puts together the science of the motions of water, he must place beneath each proposition its benefits, so that the science not be useless.
How a swimmer should survive whirlpools and eddies
He plans a treatment of the courses of action a swimmer must take against the surface whirlpools and the eddies that submerge swimmers, and of how, once dragged under, a man should govern himself so as to save himself.
Breaking eddies, sea storms, rocks and steering ships
As the marvellous matter to end each book, he lists breaking the strength of eddies in any direction, the courses of action for swimming in sea storms, avoiding the striking of rocks, and the steering of ships.
Red-chalk sketch of a doorway
A small figure of a doorway or portal is drawn on the sheet in red chalk and gone over in pen, standing apart from the surrounding text on the science of water.