Elastic lath to launch three arrows; Latin words
A sprung launching lath and a question on where its blow strikes hardest
The upper margin continues a Latin word-list (quousque, omissis, alioquin, disces and more) with Italian meanings. The main study is a pen drawing of a curved, hatched elastic lath sprung against an upright post — a mechanism meant to launch three arrows, shown as lines radiating from its head. Beside it a note poses a physics question: where along the striking beam is its blow greatest.
On this page
Where the striking beam delivers its greatest blow
Leonardo asks where the beam that strikes will give its greatest percussion: in the middle of its width, at the ends of that width, in the middle of its height, or at the two ends of its length. The figures 5, 10 and 5 label the proportions of the beam.
Elastic lath for launching three arrows
A curved wooden lath, rendered with hatching, is drawn bent against an upright post. Three lines spring from its head, the arrows it is designed to shoot. The device is a sprung launcher rather than a bow.
Latin adverbs and verbs glossed in Italian
The top of the sheet lists Latin words with Italian meanings: quousque (until), omissis (leaving aside), alioquin (otherwise), disces (you will learn), pretermittente (letting go), and crebrius (more often).
