[Footnote:  See Pl.  LXXV.  The figure “40,” close to the sketch in the middle of the page between lines 16 and 17 has been added by a collector’s hand.

In the original, below line 21, a square piece of the page has been cut out about 9 centimetres by 7 and a blank piece has been gummed into the place.

Lines 22-24 are written on the margin. l. 27 and 28 are close to the second marginal sketch. l. 42 is a note written above the third marginal sketch and on the back of this sheet is the text given as No. 642.  Compare also No. 802.]

712.

All the heads of the large nails.

[Footnote:  See Pl.  LXXVI, No. i.  This drawing has already been published in the “Saggio delle Opere di L. da Vinci.”  Milano 1872, Pl.  XXIV, No. i.  But, for various reasons I cannot regard the editor’s suggestions as satisfactory.  He says:  “Veggonsi le armature di legname colle quali forse venne sostenuto il modello, quando per le nozze di Bianca Maria Sforza con Massimiliano imperatore, esso fu collocato sotto un arco trionfale davanti al Castello.”

713.

These bindings go inside.

714.

Salt may be made from human excrements, burnt and calcined, made into lees and dried slowly at a fire, and all the excrements produce salt in a similar way and these salts when distilled, are very strong.

[Footnote:  Vasari repeatedly states, in the fourth chapter of his Introduzione della Scultura, that in preparing to cast bronze statues horse-dung was frequently used by sculptors.  If, notwithstanding this, it remains doubtful whether I am justified in having introduced here this text of but little interest, no such doubt can be attached to the sketch which accompanies it.]

715.

Method of founding again.

This may be done when the furnace is made [Footnote:  this note is written below the sketches.] strong and bruised.

Models for the horse of the Sforza monument (716-718).

7l6.

Messer Galeazzo’s big genet

717.

Messer Galeazzo’s Sicilian horse.

[Footnote:  These notes are by the side of a drawing of a horse with figured measurements.]

718.

Measurement of the Sicilian horse the leg from behind, seen in front, lifted and extended.

[Footnote:  There is no sketch belonging to this passage.  Galeazze here probably means Galeazze di San Severino, the famous captain who married Bianca the daughter of Ludovico il Moro.]

Occasional references to the Sforza monument (719-724).

719.

Again, the bronze horse may be taken in hand, which is to be to the immortal glory and eternal honour of the happy memory of the prince your father, and of the illustrious house of Sforza.

[Footnote:  The letter from which this passage is here extracted will be found complete in section XXI. (see the explanation of it, on page 2).]