2015考研英语阅读飞蛇空中滑行_大学英语阅读

2015考研英语阅读飞蛇空中滑行

　　为了查明蛇类如何成功的飞行很远，维吉尼亚理工学院的Jake Socha和其同事用一些天堂树蛇做了一系列的飞行试验，这是一种毒性适中的蛇，它生长在亚洲部分地区。研究人员使树蛇从15米高的塔顶端飞行，过程中使用了4个摄影机拍摄蛇滑行的轨迹，以拍摄成三维立体图像。不久前在生物灵感和仿生学上发布的结果显示：飞蛇的飞行不仅令人叹为观止，并且飞行过程中使用了一些在空气动力方面的很复杂的技巧。

　　A paradise tree snake flattens its body into an aerofoil-like shape that can provide a degree oflift before it takes off from a branch by jumping upwards. It then falls at a steep angle andstarts undulating from side to side. As it gains speed its glide path becomes shallower,allowing it to cover a greater distance. The researchers found some snakes could glide for 24metres.

　　天堂树蛇展平它的躯体，使其形成机翼般的形状，这可以使它在借助树干弹跳前产生一定的提升力。然后它急剧下降并且不停地摆动身体。随着下降速度的增加，下滑道变得越来越浅，这使树蛇滑翔很长一段路程。研究人员发现一些树蛇可滑翔24米。

　　The 3-D analysis showed the snakes take up a staggered posture when gliding, with theirbodies angled upwards at about 25 to the oncoming air and their heads slightly higher thantheir tails. Dr Socha says this orientation seems to provide the creatures with anaerodynamic advantage. As a result of it, the wake of air forced backwards by onesegment of the snake s undulating body may provide extra lift to the segment behind in thesidewinding glide. Flying fish rely on a similar flow of accelerated air from their pectoral finsto provide lift to their smaller pelvic fins. Indeed, it is possible that the effect works bothways, and that rearward segments provide lift to those in front.