Re: Conway's Nyctosaurus Restoration

[John Conway <john_conway@mac.com>]

On Monday, August 11, 2003, at 11:37  AM, David Peters wrote:

> The two specimens were each reconstructed differently, chiefly in the 
> chord
> of the proposed sail.

Having the actual painting here to measure; the difference in the 
ratios between the two animals in the painting is around 2-3% - well 
within the range I would expect for individual variation and/or the 
slight perspective difference between the two.

> Does the smaller chord, taller mast change the equation? Or visa versa?

KJ1 and KJ2 may differ in this regard - but calculations so far are 
based on KJ1, as KJ2s crest is broken and incomplete. Somehow I doubt 
2-3% is going to make a huge difference, but Jim will be better able to 
answer such a question.

> Or ~ is one reconstructed in error?

No.

> Perhaps one should match the other
> better?

I don't see why.


John

"The two most abundant things in the universe are hydrogen and 
stupidity." - Harlan Ellison