ABSTRACT

Professor Challenger: ‘. .. upon the domestic habits of the pterodactyl we can throw a flood of light. I can exhibit to you from my portfolio a picture of that creature taken from life which would convince you - '

Dr Illingworth: ‘No picture could convince us of anything/ Professor Challenger: ‘You would require to see the thing itself?’ Dr Illingworth: ‘Undoubtedly.’ Professor Challenger: ‘And you would accept that?’ Dr Illingworth (Laughing): ‘Beyond a doubt/

A large packing-case was brought on to the platform, while the horri­ fied audience watched, and suddenly the most hideous of beasts leapt out of it like a jack-in-the-box.