116 THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 



been exhibited, from time to time, in the city of New 

 York, called the American egg-hatching machine. 

 It is stated that it has been "examined by a large 

 number of practical and scientific men, who have 

 strongly attested to its usefulness and general adop- 

 tion." 



AMERICAN EGG-HATCHING MACHINE. 

 / 



This machine is constructed of tin, or other materi- 

 als, with the brooding chamber surrounded by water, 

 warmed to a suitable temperature, by means of a 

 spirit lamp, which, it is said, may constantly be kept 

 burning for less than ten cents a day ! The whole 

 apparatus does not exceed two and a half feet in length 

 and depth, and is stated to be capable of hatching 

 from 200 to 600 chickens at a time, with a loss of 

 not more than two per cent., if the eggs are perfect, 

 and if proper attention is paid to the temperature of 

 the machine ! But here let us drop the subject. In 

 my humble opinion, all these ingenious imitations of, 

 and interferences with, nature, though they may 

 flourish for a day, (and flourish they cannot bo said 

 to do,) will pass away as things that were. 



