THE VITAL POINT. 281 



most, and thus is presented in that position in 

 which it earliest receives the quickening influences 

 of the heat communicated by the hen. The greater 

 number of eggs are consequently placed in the 

 horizontal position. The shape of the egg makes 

 this a matter of necessity ; for every one is ac- 

 quainted with the celebrated puzzle of Columbus, 

 regarding the difficulty of setting an egg to remain 

 in any other position. In the exceptional instances 

 occasionally occurring, and a striking example of 

 which was mentioned in a former page, when the 

 egg is placed in some other position than this, the 

 same result is not attainable ; and it is possible 

 that in such instances the early influence of heat 

 is felt as much at any other part of the egg 

 as at the part where the vital germ is situated. 

 The general provision is, however, effectual in the 

 greater number of cases, and the germ feels both 

 first and in the highest degree the fostering 

 warmth communicated to it by the hen. 



The spark of life is awakened after the continu- 

 ance of the necessary heat for a few hours. This 

 may be very beautifully seen by means of the 

 little artificial incubator already described; and 

 many of the facts in the development of the 





