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Aviation History
1913
1913 - 1066.PDF
NATURAL FLIGHT. AN EXHIBITION OF UNIQUE WITHOUT doubt, the authorities of the Natural History Museum deserve well of the aeronautical world for the pains they have taken to prepare an exhibition of speci mens illustrative of the modification of the structure of animals in relation to flight. It is to Dr. W. G. Ridewood that credit for this work, which has occupied on and off two or three years, is due, and from the standpoint of aviation we venture to say that there is no more in teresting exhibition in the world. Apart altogether from the question as to whether aero planes should be made more birdlike, the fact remains that everyone who is directly associated with the development of artificial flight ought essentially to make an effort to understand and appreciate the methods by which Nature so effectually accomplishes her purpose in birds and insects. Skeleton of a bat (fox bat or flying fox, pteropus gigarteus), showing the elongation of the bones of the arm and hand for the support of the large wing membrane, cl, clavicle ; cu, cervical vertebrae ; d, dorsal vertebrae ; fb, fibula ; //n, femur; h, humerus; hx, great toe or hallux; /, lumbar vertebrae ; mc, metacarpals ; mt, metatarsals ; ph, phalanges; pu, pelvis ; px, thumb or pollex; r, radius ; s, sacral verte brae ; sc, scapula; sk, skull; tb, tibia ; ts, tarsus ; u, ulna. Anyone who goes to the Natural History Museum in Cromwell Road, must be prepared to take pains to understand the labels on the specimens. It is essentially not an exhibit of the sensational order, like the giant octopus or the hideous squid. On the contrary, in order to come under its fascination, one must spend some little time in trying to appreciate the real features of interest that, although not self-evident at a glance, are in reality illustrated with marvellous lucidity if the student will only take the trouble to pay attention to detail. Section across the body of an African flying squirrel ianomalurus beecrofti), about midway between the fore and hind limbs, showing that the patagial membrane consists of skin only—two layers of skin, with thick fur above and scanty hairs below. The drawing is about two-thirds of the natural size. INTEREST TO AVIATORS. The entire exhibition occupies only a small recess, but the three or four cases in which the specimens are dis played can easily engage the attention of the visitor for an hour or more even on a first visit, so great is the thought that has been put into the preparation of the various small models. A flying fish (exoccetus spilopterus) seen from above. In the first case is a collection of mammals, reptiles, amphibions and fishes. Among them, the only certain flying creature is the bat. Some doubt exists as to whether fishes have any power of flight, although responsible observers have placed it on record that the fins do indeed flap during the prolonged leaping glide that these creatures perform. It is quite certain, of course, that the so-called flying squirrels, lemurs, and phalangers are merely equipped with a primitive gliding apparatus, the skin being extended from the back to the feet, so that when the legs are spread outwards a kind of aeroplane surface is formed. The body lies entirely beneath this surface, which however, being end-on, is in quite the wrong attitude to give the best effect. There is an example in the case of what is known as a flying snake, a very curious object resembling a thin walking- stick more than anything else. These snakes project themselves from rocks on which they have climbed, and in their leaping journey through the air they stiffen their bodies into a straight line. In doing this they also cause the under part of the body to become concave, so that were the snake travelling sideways instead of head first it might be regarded as a cambered surface with an immense aspect ratio. It is presumed that the ptero- Flying frog (rhacophorus dactyles of ancient times were nigropalmatus), with the flying creatures, but the evidence *oes sPr?ad t0 sh°w . ' b , '. ,. , , the membrane, or web, is not conclusive. Models m which is present in both the case enable the visitor to fore and hind feet. 1092
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