180 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



We have now obtained evidence that the egg is 

 furnished with two kinds of envelopes, an outer 

 hard and stony one, which we know by the name 

 of the shell, and an inner delicate membranous 

 lining, which is in reality composed of at least two 

 layers, an outer and an inner one. On cutting 

 all round the space we have deprived of its shell, 

 and turning the membrane 

 \ back, a very pretty spectacle 

 | > ^ is presented to our view, which 



~"^ v V the artist has attempted to 

 * render in the accompanying 

 [ J cut. Since, however, the real 

 | object is so easily to be seen, 

 ,. " it is to be hoped the reader will 

 :$ not fail to study it, returning 

 to the accompanying diagram 

 for the purpose of rendering his knowledge of the 

 parts perfect. Floating in the pure and transpa- 

 rent " white," the golden yolk is seen moored on 

 each side by little thickened portions of the white 

 which hang to it. In the centre of this beautiful 

 yellow ball is a minute round speck, indicating the 

 point where life in the egg is to begin. This exami- 

 nation, simple and rude as it is, presents us with an 



