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XI. Some Remarks on the Thysiohgy of the Egg^ communicated 

 in a Letter from John Ai/rton Paris, M.B. to William George 

 'Maton, MJJ. V.P.L.S. .j-c. ^c. 



Read April Ath, 1809- 

 Dear Sic, 



XiiE extensive range which the Ovipari form in the scale of ani- 

 mated existence renders the physiology of the egg a subject of 

 extraordinary interest and importance to the disciple of Lin- 

 naeus : I am therefore induced to hope that the communication 

 of any new facts relative to its organization and development 

 will be received by you as an acceptable tribute to the cause 

 of natural history. 



The ova, or germs of oviparous animals admit of an evident 

 division into two orders. I. The Perfect, and II. the Imper- 

 fect. The former are deposited by the Aves, Serpentes, and 

 by most Oviparous Quadrupeds, and are completely formed in 

 utero ; whilst the latter, produced by some of the Testacea, Am- 

 phibia, and by most Pisces, acquire additions after their ex- 

 clusion. The observations contained in this memoir relate more 

 particularly to the class Aves, the history of whose ova compre- 

 hends whatever is interesting or important in the germs of in- 

 ferior animals. The egg, when completed and deposited, con- 

 sists of the following parts : — 



1. Vitellus or yolk, Avith its capstile and cicatricula ; 2. The two 



Alhumina 



