A Dog Bearing a Message, a Two-Span Bridge and a Confluence
Red-chalk dog with the motto 'so as not to disobey', a bridge for horses and carts, and a note on river junctions
The dominant red-chalk drawing is a dog carrying a message, inscribed 'so as not to disobey', an emblem of obedience. Below it a two-span bridge for horses and carts is drawn and marked 8 braccia, and a further note treats the confluence of two watercourses. Leonardo observes that where one water joins another at an acute angle it will scour great depth. A smaller figure is labelled a hollow between two objects.
On this page
Dog bearing a message: 'so as not to disobey'
A dog is drawn in red chalk carrying a message and inscribed 'so as not to disobey', making it an emblem of loyalty and obedience. It is the most fully worked figure on the page.
Two-span bridge for horses and carts
A bridge of two openings is drawn on piers and labelled a bridge for horses and carts, 8 braccia. It sets out a crossing sized for traffic.
An acute-angle confluence scours great depth
Treating the confluence of two watercourses, Leonardo notes that where one water joins another at an acute angle it will make great depth. The remark links the junction angle to the scouring of the bed.
A hollow between two objects
A small red-chalk figure is labelled a hollow between two objects. It is noted only briefly alongside the water studies.