h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Scientists are always trying to show a relationship between mythical beasts and living creatures, or creatures that once lived. Hence, dragons are crocodiles or other large reptiles, and some old dinosaur leg bones gave rise to the idea of giants. Along those lines, I once read an article (in the BBC Wildlife magazine, I think) which reckoned that a dinosaur skeleton gave rise to the gryphon legend. The skeleton in question was a 'Protoceratops', which had a raptor-like (sort of, to the uneducated, maybe) beak and did actually look quite like a gryphon. I guess anything's possible. I mean, who would imagine an eagle crossing with a lion?!?

Almost anybody would imagine a cross between an eagle and a lion, I mean, it's humans we talk about
There is a swedish legend about an animal called a skvader, which is a cross between the front part of a hare and the wings and back part of a grouse (I think it's a grouse, the bird is called tjäder in swedish, and I'm no biologist). In a museum in Stockholm there is a skvader, which someone has stiched together. It looks quite nice

A dragon would certainly kick a gryphons ass in a fist fight

A reckon gryphons are poofs really....

It was quite a popular trick for spinners of legends to create fantastic creatures by cobbling together bits and pieces of other animals, and even humans. See the centaur, harpy, hydra, gorgon, chimera, and pegasus, to name a few, for examples.

Regarding gryphons as "poofs"-- given the fact that somewhere along the line their ancestors were an eagle and a lion who took a shine to each other, I don't think we can really begin to classify their sexual preferences! Beyond assuming that their ideas in this regard are probably somewhat more creative than ours...

Ok, pal line up your Dragon Vs. My Gryphon and we shall so who is the Poof.

My dragon, Fire Breath Livzy of North Wales, will meet you rather sorry looking specimen of species inter-breeding any time you like, mate!

(If you think you're hard enough!)

You'd better bring plenty of clean bandages and anti-septic cream to mop the furrowed brown of your beaten champion.

".....You're gonna get your rather-strange-chimeric-multi-species head kicked in....."

For my part I won't bring any bandages, just beer and sausages for us onlookers

I accept your challenge Livzy. But do you think that I would fall for your blunder as such. Fire Breath, my dear champion, a name which rings with poetry that rivals my 1 1/2 year old daughter attempts at same, accepts your challenge. We shall play the Oldest Game. With our onlookers as our peers and judges, let us match our wits. I shall start.
I am the eagle that strikes from blue skies.
your response, reptile.

Oh great, a duel! GO GRYPHON! KICK THAT HALF-BAKED FIREDRAKE'S GIZZARD FROM HERE TO LOLLAPALOOZA! ^_^

heh heh...liiiiiiittle too enthusastic there...

..prostrate thyself at the feet of the eternal champion.

Stare in awe and wonder at the sheer size and ferocity of the Fire Breath.

In a single burp he can destroy whole villages.

(Don't even ask what a vindaloo and eight pints of Stella does !!)

Better take cover, He had a chilli kebab last night and I think it's on it's way back up.......

No not scary, just petulant. Dragon, stand your ground. Once more from the top, I would draw a diagram, but that would require more education than your reptile brain could muster. So I will use small words. You--me--play--game. You--say--something---about---what---I---say---but---bigger---or (heh)smarter. Like this little freebie. I am the eagle. You know, the birdie.....that flies. Yes... Then you say something clever (heh) like oh, I am the storm. You see the storm knocks the eagle out of the sky. Then I would say something clever as well in response like......I am the opposing wind that breaks down the storm...you would respond...........................................
O, yes. Don't belch. It is very rude.

Way to go, Skylion!

Cheers!

*waves flag with gryphon emblem*

I thank my patron Saint for her support. But am still awaiting my reply for the Dragon. Well....................................................

The dragon's shaking in it's own scaly-scales... maybe it has heartburn, and can't respond...

Titania, can I have a flag, too??!???

Sure, here Dragonfly!

Go gryphon, go! *jumping up and down*

*looks with utter contempt at the pathetic examples before him*

In a battle of wits, I never fight with unarmed opponents

*looks with utter contempt at the pathetic examples before him*

In a battle of wits, I never fight with unarmed opponents

*So contemptuous is he that he feels the need to say it twice*

(just in case the obviously limited brain capacity of the onlookers overlaoded the first time)

Limited brain capacity? Overload?

*throws at Livzy, ducks quickly*