THE CHICK. 325 



binary division of birds ; but it is proper to state 

 that the fact was some years previously adverted 

 to by Professor Owen, in the Cyclopedia of Ana- 

 tomy and Physiology. 



Of the appearance of the young chick of the 

 domestic fowl just after its emergence from the 

 shell, we have the best account in the pages of 

 that excellent French naturalist, Reaumur, who 

 entered into the minutest particulars of every sub- 

 ject to which he directed his attention. He says : 

 " When we see a chicken for the first time in that 

 condition, that is, just emerged from the shell, 

 we have no opinion of him; we judge that his stock 

 of strength is exhausted by the efforts he has 

 made, and we think him almost ready to expire. 

 Some time after, and indeed in no long time, he 

 appears quite another creature. All his parts 

 gather strength. After having dragged himself 

 on his legs for a little while he becomes able to 

 stand on them, to lift up his neck, and bend it in 

 various directions, and, finally, to hold his head 

 straight. The feathers he is covered with are only 

 a fine down, and whilst they remain wet they 

 make him appear almost naked. These sorts of 

 feathers seem by the multitude of their branches 



