This MS. has been bound in modern times in shiny black leather. Binding size is 205 x 173 mm (vertical dimension first).

On the interior of the front binding is a modern shelfmark (top left) - “40.G.5.” Before the MS. proper, the binders have inserted three flyleaves of modern paper. After the end of the manuscript they have added four leaves of modern paper. On the first flyleaf a librarian has written "Lot 7." "MS. 14" followed by penciled notes describing the content, which are ignored.

The MS. now consists of three unsewn fascicles or packets (Packet 1 = folios 1r-5v; Packet 2 = folios 6r-9v; Packet 3 = 10r-13v). However, it is clear that the first and last folios of the MS. originally constituted a cover to the whole MS. and were not part of he first and last packets respectively. Before the first original packet and after the last original packet one finds a single folio, devoid of Newton’s handwriting except for the title “Artefius” on 1r. Folios 1 and 10 were once no doubt connected, and formed a cover to the packets within. Later they either came apart spontaneously or were intentionally separated so that the packets could be glued to their stubs in the process of binding the MS. The first two packets are made up of folded halfsheets that have been nested, but the third is folded and slit (it is possible, of course, that all three packets were originally folded and slit, and that the unslit parts have subsequently separated). The three packets have been independently glued to stubs. In all three packets, the central sheet, consisting of two folios, is not glued and can be lifted out. The first packet consists of two folded and nested half-sheets. The second packet consists of two folded and nested half-sheets. The third packet consists of a single full-sheet folded and slit in the style of CU add. 3973.

Measurements Sheet 1 (1r-1v): 195 x 150 mm (vertical x horizontal).

Sheet 2 (2r-2v, 5r-5v): 195 x c. 300 mm.

Sheet 3 (3r-4v): 197 x 30 2mm.

Sheet 4 (6r-6v,9r-9v): c. 200 x 300 mm.

Sheet 5 (7r-8v): 196 x 302 mm.

Sheet 6 (10r-13v): 388 x 303 mm (unfolded)

Sheet 7 (14r-14v): 195 x 149 mm.