Eddies of water and where currents shed their load
Red-chalk studies of whirlpools that rebound after striking the ground
In red chalk Leonardo sketches the swirling forms of water eddies ('retrosi') and adds two short notes on how they behave. The first observes that where water moves least it discharges its lighter weight; the second that eddies, after striking the ground at an angle, turn back in contrary motion. Points in the upper study are lettered M, q, a.
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Where the slowest water sheds its lightest load
A short note beside the upper eddy states that where the water has the least motion it there discharges its lighter weight. The observation links the speed of a current to the deposition of the finer, lighter matter it carries. The lettered points M, q, a mark positions in the swirl.
Eddies rebound in contrary motion after striking the ground
The second note explains that the eddies of water, after their angular impact against the ground, turn back in the opposite direction of motion. It treats the whirlpool as a mechanical rebound off a solid surface.
Red-chalk sketches of whirlpools and currents
Loose red-chalk lines trace flowing currents with a coiling vortex at the upper right and a scrolling spiral lower down, illustrating the two written notes on eddy behaviour.