254 



rnits to the other vessels, w.hose branches distribute it 

 to the whole body. All tho&e little canals which were 

 flat before, are now swelled and enlarged : the whole 

 substance imbibes a proper aliment, and the chick be- 

 gins to grow. 



In this situation of the speck out of which if: is 

 formed, one circumstance is highly remarkable. This 

 minute particle which is lodged on the film that in- 

 cludes the yolk is always near the centre of the egg, 

 and toward the boc!y of the dam, in order to be im- 

 pregnated with a necessary warmth ; but in how ad. 

 jnirable a manner is this effected ? The yolk is sus- 

 tained by two ligaments, which fasten it on each side 

 to the common membrane, that is glued on the shell. 

 A line drawn from one ligament to the other would 

 not pass through the middle of the yolk, but above 

 the centre, and cut the yolk in two unequal parts, so 

 that the smaller part which contains the seed, is of ne- 

 cessity' raised towards the belly of birds that sit : the 

 other part as necessarily subsides, so that let the egg 

 turn as it will, the young receives no hurl, but still 

 enjoys a warmth that puts all about it in motion. So 

 it feeds at case, first on the white, which is more thin 

 and delicate, and afterwards on the yolk, which af- 

 fords more substantial nourishment. When his bill is 

 hardened, and he grows uneasy at his confinement, 

 he pecks and breaks the shell, and issues out fully 

 replenished with the yolk, which nourishes him a little 

 longer, till he is strong enough to raise himself upon 

 his feetj and can march about to look for provisions.. 



