1424.

The figures you will have to reserve for the last book on shadows that they may appear in the study of Gerardo the illuminator at San Marco at Florence.

[Go to see Melzo, and the Ambassador, and Maestro Bernardo].

[Footnote:  L. 1-3 are in the original written between lines 3 and 4 of No. 292.  But the sense is not clear in this connection.  It is scarcely possible to devine the meaning of the following sentence.

2. 3. Gherardo Miniatore, a famous illuminator, 1445-1497, to whom Vasari dedicated a section of his Lives (Vol.  II pp. 237-243, ed.  Sansoni 1879).

5. Bernardo, possibly the painter Bernardo Zenale.]

1425.

Hermes the philosopher.

1426.

Suisset, viz. calculator,—­Tisber, —­Angelo Fossobron,—­Alberto.

1427.

The structure of the drawbridge shown me by Donnino, and why c and d thrust downwards.

[Footnote:  The sketch on the same page as this text represents two poles one across the other.  At the ends of the longest are the letter c and d.  The sense of the passage is not rendered any clearer.]

1428.

The great bird will take its first flight;—­ on the back of his great swan,—­filling the universe with wonders; filling all writings with his fame and bringing eternal glory to his birthplace.

[Footnote:  This seems to be a speculation about the flying machine (compare p. 271).]

1429.

This stratagem was used by the Gauls against the Romans, and so great a mortality ensued that all Rome was dressed in mourning.

[Footnote:  Leonardo perhaps alludes to the Gauls under Brennus, who laid his sword in the scale when the tribute was weighed.]

1430.

Alberto da Imola;—­Algebra, that is, the demonstration of the equality of one thing to another.

1431.

Johannes Rubicissa e Robbia.

1432.

Ask the wife of Biagio Crivelli how the capon nurtures and hatches the eggs of the hen,—­he being drunk.

1433.

The book on Water to Messer Marco Antonio.

[Footnote:  Possibly Marc-Antonio della Torre, see p. 97.]

1434.

Have Avicenna’s work on useful inventions translated; spectacles with the case, steel and fork and...., charcoal, boards, and paper, and chalk and white, and wax;.... .... for glass, a saw for bones with fine teeth, a chisel, inkstand ........ three herbs, and Agnolo Benedetto.  Get a skull, nut,—­mustard.

Boots,—­gloves, socks, combs, papers, towels, shirts,....
shoe-tapes,--..... shoes, penknife, pens.  A skin for the chest.

[Footnote:  4.  Lapis.  Compare Condivi, Vita di Michelagnolo Buonarotti, Chap.  XVIII.:  Ma egli (Michelangelo) non avendo che mostrare, prese una penna (percioche in quel tempo il lapis non era in uso) e con tal leggiadria gli dipinse una mano ecc. The incident is of the year l496.—­Lapis means pencil, and chalk (matita).  Between lines 7 and 8 are the texts given as Nos. 819 and No. 7.]