Bikewer
Penultimate Amazing
Couldn't think of anywhere better to put this...
Both of these mythic creatures are frequently depicted in art, film, and so forth. The standard model, however, is of a six-limbed creature. IE- two hindlegs, two forelegs, and the wings, of course.
This seems unlikely, as we know that both reptilian and mammalian creatures are invariably four-limbed. Those creatures which are capable of flight (excepting insects) modify the forelimbs into wings. Thus the bat, and the bird. Both of these types have considerable modification to allow flight, in terms of greatly extended forelimb bones, enormous pectoral muscles, hollow bones, and an abreviated hind limb in most cases adapted only to support standing/hanging.
In order to allow both forelimbs and wings, a wildly modified shoulder structure and musculature would be necessary. We would also note that in the typical examples presented, the rear limbs of both angels and dragons are far too heavy, and would result in very poor flight characteristics, with little in the way of directional control.
There are very few depictions of properly-designed dragons and angels. The films Dragonslayer and Reign of Fire both depict batlike dragons, with the apparent use of the long tail with a rudderlike attachment on the end to provide some directional control.
In regards to angels, I am aware of only one depiction of a proper flying creature. This was in an illustrated copy of John Varley's "Gaia" trilogy. ( a fine read, BTW)
Not exactly proper supernatural angels; these angels were created by the world-that-is-a-god based on intercepted ideas from Earth, so that Gaia could experience war. (The Angels were to fight the Centaurs, which she also created.)
Varley correctly describes the Gaian Angels as being quite birdlike, with the forelimbs modified into wings, the rear limbs attenuated, and the skeleton lightened.
Now, those who quibble about such things might note that both dragons and angels are supernatural beings, and presumably not subject to the same laws of physics as are we.
Piffle.
When these creatures interact with humans on the same plane of existance, one might expect that the same physics would apply.
Next week: Fairies.
Both of these mythic creatures are frequently depicted in art, film, and so forth. The standard model, however, is of a six-limbed creature. IE- two hindlegs, two forelegs, and the wings, of course.
This seems unlikely, as we know that both reptilian and mammalian creatures are invariably four-limbed. Those creatures which are capable of flight (excepting insects) modify the forelimbs into wings. Thus the bat, and the bird. Both of these types have considerable modification to allow flight, in terms of greatly extended forelimb bones, enormous pectoral muscles, hollow bones, and an abreviated hind limb in most cases adapted only to support standing/hanging.
In order to allow both forelimbs and wings, a wildly modified shoulder structure and musculature would be necessary. We would also note that in the typical examples presented, the rear limbs of both angels and dragons are far too heavy, and would result in very poor flight characteristics, with little in the way of directional control.
There are very few depictions of properly-designed dragons and angels. The films Dragonslayer and Reign of Fire both depict batlike dragons, with the apparent use of the long tail with a rudderlike attachment on the end to provide some directional control.
In regards to angels, I am aware of only one depiction of a proper flying creature. This was in an illustrated copy of John Varley's "Gaia" trilogy. ( a fine read, BTW)
Not exactly proper supernatural angels; these angels were created by the world-that-is-a-god based on intercepted ideas from Earth, so that Gaia could experience war. (The Angels were to fight the Centaurs, which she also created.)
Varley correctly describes the Gaian Angels as being quite birdlike, with the forelimbs modified into wings, the rear limbs attenuated, and the skeleton lightened.
Now, those who quibble about such things might note that both dragons and angels are supernatural beings, and presumably not subject to the same laws of physics as are we.
Piffle.
When these creatures interact with humans on the same plane of existance, one might expect that the same physics would apply.
Next week: Fairies.
