Re: Conway's Nyctosaurus Restoration or Introducing the Bennett Prize!

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

John Conway wrote:

Chris Glen wrote:

> >   hmmm, I might have a crack at that "Bennett membrane schmembrane"
> > thing...
> 
> Good. I really do understand Chris Bennett's dismay at the number of
> restorations with a membrane on the crest.

Me too, I have similar feelings.  Let's not forego our optione too
early.

> - if all the
> pictures out there show a membrane, then very likely that's the only
> way it will ever be shown, despite the lack of fossil evidence. And a
> membrane without a specific use (such as skim-sailing) would hardly be
> an advantage.

Well said.  As an aside, I would expect the bony 'mast' of a membraned
sail to lack the internal strutting that the wings exhibit, in order to
enhance unit twist along the long axis..