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Wing Adjustments of Pterodactyls

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2016

G. Howard Short
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Extract

In view of the very interesting information about pterodactyls contained in the foregoing paper by Dr. Hankin and Mr. Watson it will be worth while to endeavour to reconstruct the animal and to ascertain as far as possible the effect of the various adjustments upon the shape of the membrane which forms the wing.

This can best be accomplished by a study of the drawings accompanying this paper.

In the first place, it is important to remember that the wing membrane (plainly visible in some of the smaller fossils) doubtless resembled that of a bat in being extremely extensible and elastic. Possibly it had muscles attached to it which could tighten it in various directions and possibly increase and diminish camber. Air pressure upon this membrane would be certain to make the back margin of the wing a curved line with the convexity upward and the front margin of the wing (formed chiefly by the supporting bones) would have to follow this curved line more or less closely, otherwise the angle of incidence would vary excessively in different parts of the wing.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 18 , Issue 72 , October 1914 , pp. 336 - 343
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1914

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References

Note on page 337 * Dr. Hankin's observations upon vultures show that the attitude of soaring in “highly soarable air” differs from that of ordinary gliding in that the wings are more advanced, so that the centre of area is level with the centre of gravity. I have observed, however, that this advancement is less noticeable in the case of sea birds.

Note on page 339 * It is difficult to find a reason for the joint between the lateral carpal and the distal carpal. Dr. Hankin suggested to me that it might have moved in such a way, when the pteroid was tightened or slackened, as to prevent the angle of. entry at the front edge of the propatagium from altering. Slight rotation was possible between the distal carpal and the metacarpal and probably the pteroid tendon was continued on to the under surface of the metacarpal as shown in the figure, in which case pulling the pteroid would produce slight downward rotation at this joint and the lateral carpal would move slightly upon the hinge joint by which it was attached to the distal carpal.

Note on page 342 * See “Animal Flight,” Chapter XIX