370 HISTORY OF 



served also for another purpose : for, a line being 

 drawn from one ligament to the other, would not 

 pass directly through the middle of the yolk, but 

 rather towards one side, and would divide the 

 yolk into two unequal parts, by which means 

 these ligaments served to keep the smallest side 

 of the yolk always uppermost ; and in this part 

 he supposed the cicatricula, or first speck of life, 

 to reside ; which, by being uppermost, and con- 

 sequently next the hen, would be thus in the 

 warmest situation. But this is rather fanciful 

 than true, the incipient animal being found in all 

 situations, and not particularly influenced by 

 any.* This cicatricula, which is the part where 

 the animal first begins to show signs of life, is not 

 unlike a vetch, or a lentil, lying on one side of 

 the yolk, and within its membrane. All these 

 contribute to the little animal's convenience or 

 support : the outer membranes and ligaments pre- 

 serve the fluids in their proper places ; the white 

 serves as nourishment ; and the yolk, with its 

 membranes, after a time becomes a part of the 

 animal's body.t This is the description of a 

 hen's egg, and answers to that of all others, how 

 large or how small soever. 



Previous to putting the eggs to the hen, our 

 philosophers first examined the cicatricula, or little 

 spot already mentioned ; and which may be con- 

 sidered as the most important part of the egg. 

 This was found, in those that were impregnated 

 by the cock, to be large ; but in those laid with- 



* Hallen f Ibid. 



