the Physiology of the Egg. 31 i 



A hen, which I kept for some experiments, had its leg broken in 

 two parts. The fracture was carefully bandaged ; three days sub- 

 sequent to which, several eggs destitute of shells were found on the 

 premises. The hen had deposited no perfect eggs, nor were there 

 any other birds from which these yolks could have proceeded : 

 I therefore conjectured that all the calcareous matter designed 

 for the formation of the shell had been employed in the regene- 

 ration of the bone. We find a similar law existing in the human 

 species. The reunion of a bone fractured during a woman's 

 pregnancy is often delayed until her delivery ; and it is well 

 known, that, if the horns of a deer be broken at the rutting 

 season, it is incapable of procreating its species. — I remain, dear 

 Sir, with great esteem, 



Yours faithfully, 



John Ayrton Paris. 



Westminster, 

 November 30, 1808. 



2 .«; 2 XI J. Some 



