Затерянный мир
It’s Just the very Biggest Thing in the World
Studiesofwomenandbabiesaccountedforseveralmorepages,andthentherewasanunbrokenseriesofanimaldrawingswithsuchexplanationsas"ManateeuponSandbank,""TurtlesandTheirEggs,""BlackAjoutiunderaMiritiPalm"—thematterdisclosingsomesortofpig-likeanimal;andfinallycameadoublepageofstudiesoflong-snoutedandveryunpleasantsaurians.Icouldmakenothingofit,andsaidsototheProfessor.
"Surelytheseareonlycrocodiles?"
"Alligators!Alligators!ThereishardlysuchathingasatruecrocodileinSouthAmerica.Thedistinctionbetweenthem——"
"ImeantthatIcouldseenothingunusual—nothingtojustifywhatyouhavesaid."
Hesmiledserenely.
"Trythenextpage,"saidhe.
Iwasstillunabletosympathize.Itwasafull-pagesketchofalandscaperoughlytintedincolor—thekindofpaintingwhichanopen-airartisttakesasaguidetoafuturemoreelaborateeffort.Therewasapale-greenforegroundoffeatheryvegetation,whichslopedupwardsandendedinalineofcliffsdarkredincolor,andcuriouslyribbedlikesomebasalticformationswhichIhaveseen.Theyextendedinanunbrokenwallrightacrossthebackground.Atonepointwasanisolatedpyramidalrock,crownedbyagreattree,whichappearedtobeseparatedbyacleftfromthemaincrag.Behinditall,abluetropicalsky.
