EXTRACTS FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. 151 



5th Day. The liji'er makes its appearance, and both auricles, 

 now plainly seen, approach nearer the heart than before. That 

 splendid phenomenon, the circulation of the blood, is now evident. 

 , 6th Day. The lungs and stomach are distinguishable, and the 

 full gush of blood from the heart is distinctly apparent. 



7th Day. The intestines, veins and upper mandible become visi- 

 ble, and the brain begins to assume a distinct form. 



8th Day. The beak for the first time opens, and the formation of 

 flesh upon the breast commences. 



9th Day. The deposition of matter forming the ribs takes place, 

 and the gall bladder is perceptible. 



10th Day. The bile is distinguishable by its green color, and 

 the lirst voluntary motion of the body of the chick is seen, if sepa- 

 rated from its integuments. 



11th Day. The matter forming the skull now becomes cartila- 

 ginous, and the protrusion of feathers may be noticed. 



12th Day. The orbits of sight are apparent, and the ribs are per- 

 fected. 



13th Day. The spleen gradually approaches to its proper posi- 

 tion in the stomach. 



1 ith Day. The lungs become enclosed within the breast. 



15th, 16th, and 17th Days. During these days, the infinity of 

 phenomena in this wonderful piece of vital mechanism elaborate 

 it into more perfect form, and it presents an appearance closely ap- 

 proaching the mature state. The yolk of the egg, however, from 

 which it derives its nourishment, is still outside the body. 



18th Day. On the eighteenth day, the outward and audible sign 

 of developed life is apparent, by thefaint piping of the chick being, 

 for the first time, heard. 



19th, 20th, and 21st Days. Continually increasing in size and 

 strength, the remainder of the yolk gradually becomes enclosed 

 within its body ; then, w^ith uncommon power, for so small and 

 frail a being, it liberates itself from its prison in a peculiar and 

 curious manner, by repeated efforts made with its bill, seconded 

 by muscular exertion with its limbs, and emerges into a new exist- 

 ence. 



The position of the chicken in the shell, is such as to occupy 

 the least possible space. The head, which is large and heavy in 

 proportion to the rest of the body, is placed in front of the abdo- 

 men, with its beak under the right wing ; the feet are gathered up 

 like a bird trussed for the spit, yet in this singular manner, and 

 apparently uncomfortable position, it is by no means cramped or 

 confined, but performs all the necessary motions and efforts requir- 

 ed for its liberation, with the most perfect ease, and that consum- 

 mate skill which instinct renders almost infallible. 



