The nascait Chick. 71 



SECTION vn. 



Hatching oftlie Brood. 



This must be watched on the expiration 

 of the term, in which the state of tlie wea- 

 tiier, warm or cold, may make some hours' 

 difference. Nature, as Reaumur long since 

 observed, has committed to the chicken 

 itself, \hQ task of breaking its way through 

 the shell, the hen bsing totally uninstructed 

 and unquahfied on that point ; for, indeed, 

 any forcible strokes with her beak, might 

 have the effect of wounding the chicken, 

 whilst it broke the she!!. The only use of 

 her bill, generally, in the case, is to turn, or 

 remove the ei^scs, defend them, or cast out 



Oct » ' 



the broken shells. The chicken in perfect 

 health and unimpeded, suddenly, at nature's 

 impulse, performs the part of breaking its 

 prison with a wonderful strength and energy. 



