288 THE OVARIAN EGG. 



irregular, and under the effect of light they are 

 exceedingly brilliant. Presently, instead of being 

 scattered equally over the space they occupy, 

 they form clusters, — constellations, as it were, 

 — and between these clusters are clear spaces, 

 produced by the separation of the albumen from 

 the oil. 



At this period of its growth there is a wonder- 

 ful resemblance between the appearance of the 

 egg, as seen under the microscope, and the fir- 

 mament with the celestial bodies. The little 

 clusters or constellations are unequally divided. 

 Here and there they are two and two like double 

 stars, or sometimes in threes or fives, or in sevens, 

 recalling the Pleiades ; and the clear albuminous 

 tracks between are like the empty spaces separat- 

 ing the stars. This is no fanciful simile. It is 

 simply true that such is the actual appearance of 

 the yolk at this time ; and the idea cannot but 

 suggest itself to the mind, that the thoughts 

 which have been embodied in the universe are 

 recalled here within the little egg, presenting a 

 miniature diagram of the firmament. This is 

 one of the first changes of the yolk, ending by 

 forming regular clusters, with a sort of network 

 of albumen between, and then this phase of the 

 growth is complete. 



Now the clusters of the yolk separate, and next 

 *he albumen in its turn concentrates into clusters 



