Immense Quantity. 101 



hatch chickens all the year round, whereas 

 the Egyptians themselves do not think they 

 can use theirs for any longer time than six 

 months. 



It cannot then he denied, that we have 

 in our power, to hatch such an immense 

 quantity of chickens as would much sur- 

 pass that which the whole kingdom can con- 

 sume, by using towards the warming of the 

 eggs a part of the heat of our bakers and 

 pastry cooks, which has hitherto been ab- 

 solutely lost. However, we are not to ex- 

 pect tliat all the people in these trades, will 

 at once fall into the practice ; but when 

 some of the most industrious and active of 

 them, shall have used their ovens with suc- 

 cess for this purpose, they gradually will be 

 imitated by others ; and in time, none among 

 them, but those that are either too idle to be 

 rich, or are overloaded with business, will 

 neglect procuring to themselves, an amuse- 

 ment as beneficial even as the most labo- 

 rious occupation. 



In the year 1782, whilst resident in Sur- 

 ry, Reaumur's book hrst fell into my hands. 



