How Water Sorts and Moves Sand on the River Bed
Questions on where flowing water leaves sand muddy, fine, or mixed, and how sand and stones roll and come to rest
Leonardo poses a series of questions about how running water deposits sand: where it leaves the fine sand muddy, where mixed with coarser sand, where thin and fine in an unctuous manner, and where mixed with roots, straw, and leaves. He announces that he will treat the cause of the motion sand makes over its bottom - what moves it, how, and where and how it stops - and likewise the behaviour of small and large stones and the shapes they make when they come to rest together.
On this page
Where does the water leave the sand?
Leonardo asks where the water leaves the fine sand muddy, where mixed with coarser sand, where thin and fine in an unctuous manner, and where mixed with roots and other blades of straw and leaves.
The motion and resting of sand and stones
He proposes to explain the cause of the motion that sand makes over the bottom - what removes it, how it moves, and where and how it stops - and likewise for small and large stones and the shapes they make in stopping all together.