Representing things in motion; the growth-rings of trees
How moving objects look continuous though they are discontinuous, and why tree rings thicken
A faded red-chalk page carrying two short notes under a single block. The first, on depicting things that move, observes that objects in motion do not show themselves as they truly are: a falling raindrop, a spinning reel and wheels, stones seen through moving water, and a firebrand whirled in a circle all appear continuous even though they are in fact discontinuous. The second note turns to plants, remarking that the rings of trees grow to a greater thickness than the distributed moisture that nourishes them would seem to require.
On this page
Moving things appear continuous though they are discontinuous
On representing things that have motion against their background, which in motion do not show themselves as they really are. The drop of falling rain, the turning reel and wheels, the stones beneath moving water, and the firebrand whirled in a circle all appear continuous in that which they are in fact discontinuous.
Tree rings thicken beyond what their moisture requires
On the rings of trees: the rings of trees grow to a greater thickness than the distributed moisture that nourishes them requires.