The Manuscripts of Leonardo da Vinci, Vol. 4

Manuscript Facsimile: FOLIO 2 (recto)

Whether the water that exits from the hole original: "buso" — a dialectal or archaic term for an opening or orifice. of the barrel original: "botte" — refers to a large cask or vessel. is more or less than itself, or is the same as that which is inside, far distant from the same hole, just as the velocity of the exit from said barrel is [measured] inside and where the water is still...

A scientific diagram by Leonardo da Vinci exploring the mechanics of water flow from an orifice in a large vessel (botte). The sketch uses parallel horizontal lines to indicate the body of water and a curved path to show the discharge, typical of his studies in hydraulics.

The water of this barrel exits in that direction where the water resists less, and where more of it weighs weighs: "pondera" — Leonardo uses this to describe the gravitational pressure or weight of the fluid column; where the water resists less is through the said path of its coming; the water comes from the internal part which is preponderant meaning: exerting greater weight or force toward the direction where the water inside exits, toward where less water resists it; it is seen, therefore, that the water of this barrel comes from the opposite side toward the exit of the barrel where it weighs.

Less water is [seen] coming through the said path from the top of the water, [and] coming from the bottom of the barrel; it is seen, therefore, that the water from inside this barrel comes from the opposite side toward the exit of the barrel where it weighs.

Manuscript Facsimile: FOLIO 2 (verso)

The water that exits from inside the barrel comes from the part where less water weighs inside the barrel, [coming] through the said path from the opposite side toward the exit of the barrel.

The movement of the aforementioned [water] comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more; it comes from the part where it weighs more. The repetition of this phrase is characteristic of Leonardo’s manuscript pages, often serving as a pen trial or a rhythmic reinforcement of a physical principle.