10 INTRODUCTION. 



necessitates the use of several instruments ; the blow-pipe and 

 egg-drill, 10 which are the most important, the syringe, forceps, 

 dissecting-scissors, etc. To follow this method, drill with a 

 light twirling motion a small hole on one side of the egg, re- 

 move from the opening the inner membrane, which often (as in 

 the larger of two holes) interferes with further action, and in- 

 sert the blow-pipe. Then breathe gently, not forcibly, and 

 the contents, if fresh, will flow out about the pipe, but, if not, 

 a little water should be injected, and the egg gently shaken. 

 Should there be further difficulty, inject warm water, put the 

 egg in a dark, warm place, with the hole turned upward, and 

 at the end of a few hours, after shaking it, remove as much as 

 possible of the yolk, etc., which must finally be altogether dis- 

 posed of, particularly in the case of white eggs. Then inject 

 more water, and again leave it.' Young may be cut up by 

 slender scissors, having delicate blades at an angle with their 

 handles, and removed by a fine wire, slightly hooked, or by 

 small forceps. Fresh eggs, if not too large, may be "blown" 

 or rather sucked by means of a suction-tube with a bulb. 

 Specimens, when thoroughly rinsed and ready for the cabinet, 

 should be placed on blotting paper to dry (with the opening 

 turned downward), where not exposed to a strong light. Car- 

 bonate of soda is said to render a hardened yolk soluble in 

 water, but it must not come in contact with the outer shell. 

 There are various other details, too numerous to mention, 

 connected with the blowing of eggs by instruments, such as 

 gumming a series of very thin paper-wafers about an opening 

 made in a delicate shell, such as that of a very small specimen, 

 of one cracked, or of one nearly hatched. 11 



10 These may be obtained at the Naturalist's Agency, Salem, Mass. The present 

 address is Mr. S. E. Cassino. 



11 Several ideas expressed in the preceding paragraph, have been borrowed 

 from various articles on this same subject. 



