690 



EGG AND FEMALE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 



Fig. 226. 



to the opposite poles of the egg. These cords are termed the " chalazse," 

 and the membrane with which they are connected, the " chalaziferous 

 membrane." 



Throughout the remainder of the second division of the oviduct, the 

 mucous membrane exudes an albuminous substance, which is deposited 

 in successive layers round the yolk, inclosing the chalaziferous mem- 

 brane and the chalazae. This substance, 

 the so-called albumen, or "white of egg," 

 is gelatinous in consistency, nearly trans- 

 parent, and of a faint amber color. It is 

 deposited in greater abundance in front 

 of the advancing egg than behind it, and 

 thus forms a conical projection anteriorly, 

 while behind, its outline is parallel with 

 the spherical surface of the yolk. In this 

 way, the egg acquires, when covered with 

 its albumen, an ovoid form, of which 

 one end is round, the other pointed ; the 

 pointed extremity being directed down- 

 ward, as the egg descends along the 

 oviduct. 



In the third division of the oviduct 

 (f)i which is about nine centimetres in 

 length, the mucous membrane is arranged 

 in longitudinal folds, which are narrower 

 arid more closely packed than in the 

 preceding portion. The material secreted 

 in this part condenses into a firm fibrous 

 covering, composed of three different 

 layers which closely embrace the surface 

 of the albuminous mass, forming a tough, 

 flexible, semi-opaque envelope for the 

 whole. These layers are known as the 

 external, middle, and internal fibrous 

 membranes of the egg. 



Finally the egg passes into the fourth 

 division of the oviduct (gr), which is wider 

 than the rest of the canal, but only a 

 little over five centimetres in length. 

 Here the mucous membrane, which is 

 arranged in abundant projecting, leaf- 

 like villosities, exudes a fluid rich in 



FEMALE GENERATIVE ORGANS OF THE FOWL. a. Ovary, b. Graafian follicle, 

 from which the egg has just been discharged, c. Yolk, entering upper extremity of oviduct. 

 d, e. Second division of oviduct, in which the chalaziferous membrane, chalazse, and albumen 

 are formed. /. Third portion, in which the fibrous shell membranes are produced, g. Fourth 

 portion laid open, showing the egg completely formed, with its calcareous shell, h. Narrow 

 canal through which the egg is discharged. 



