copy ‘niente’ has been written on the margin; and in it, as well as in LUDWIG’S and MANZI’S edition, the text is mutilated.] four modes of growing one above another.  The first, which is the most general, is that the sixth always originates over the sixth below [Footnote 8:  la sesta di sotto.  “Disposizione 2/5 o 1/5.  Leonardo osservo probabilmente soltanto la prima" (UZIELLl).]; the second is that two third ones above are over the two third ones below [Footnote 10:  terze di sotto:  “Intende qui senza dubbio parlare di foglie decussate, in cui il terzo verticello e nel piano del primo" (UZIELLI).]; and the third way is that the third above is over the third below [Footnote 11:  3a di sotto:  “Disposizione 1/2" (UZIELLI).].

[Footnote:  See the four sketches on the upper portion of the page reproduced as fig. 2 on P1.  XXVII.]

413.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE ELM.

The ramification of the elm has the largest branch at the top.  The first and the last but one are smaller, when the main trunk is straight.

The space between the insertion of one leaf to the rest is half the extreme length of the leaf or somewhat less, for the leaves are at an interval which is about the 3rd of the width of the leaf.

The elm has more leaves near the top of the boughs than at the base; and the broad [surface] of the leaves varies little as to [angle and] aspect.

[Footnote:  See Pl.  XXVII, No. 3.  Above the sketch and close under the number of the page is the word ‘olmo’ (elm).]

414.

In the walnut tree the leaves which are distributed on the shoots of this year are further apart from each other and more numerous in proportion as the branch from which this shoot springs is a young one.  And they are inserted more closely and less in number when the shoot that bears them springs from an old branch.  Its fruits are borne at the ends of the shoots.  And its largest boughs are the lowest on the boughs they spring from.  And this arises from the weight of its sap which is more apt to descend than to rise, and consequently the branches which spring from them and rise towards the sky are small and slender [20]; and when the shoot turns towards the sky its leaves spread out from it [at an angle] with an equal distribution of their tips; and if the shoot turns to the horizon the leaves lie flat; and this arises from the fact that leaves without exception, turn their underside to the earth [29].

The shoots are smaller in proportion as they spring nearer to the base of the bough they spring from.

[Footnote:  See the two sketches on Pl XXVII, No. 4.  The second refers to the passage lines 20-30.]

415.

OF THE INSERTION OF THE LEAVES ON THE BRANCHES.

The thickness of a branch never diminishes within the space between one leaf and the next excepting by so much as the thickness of the bud which is above the leaf and this thickness is taken off from the branch above [the node] as far as the next leaf.