SPIRIT OF THE MONTHLIES. 355 



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 propor- 

 tion to the rest of the body, is placed in front of the abdomen, with 

 its beak under the right wing : the feet are gathered up like a bird 

 trussed for tiie spit ; yet in this singular manner, and apparently 

 uncomfortaiile position, it is by no means cramped or confined, but 

 performs all the necessary motions and efforts required for its libera- 

 tion with the most perfect ease, and that consummate skill which 

 instinct renders almost infallible. 



The chicken, at the time it breaks the shell, is heavier than the 

 whole Qgg was at first. 



An egg will not hatch in vacuo. 



The infinite wisdom of the Great Architect of the animal frame is 

 remarkably manifested in its providing the chick with a sharp and 

 hard substance on the tip of the bill, by means of which it is enabled 

 to fracture the shell to liberate itself from its imprisonment. Its own 

 bill is too soft to enable it to break the shell therewith ; and in two 

 days or les^s, this hard and pointed substance disappears, the young 

 bird no longer requiring to use it. 



Equally extraordinary and wonderful is the fact that the germ of 

 the chick is provided with the ability to keep itself always on the 

 top of the yolk of the egg, to the end that it may take the heat from 

 the parent bird when setting to produce incubation. 



[From the (Chicago) Prairie Farmer.] 



BREEDS OF CATTLE FOR THE WEST. 



Those who advocate the adoption of any one particular breed of 

 cattle for our climate and soil, seem to proceed on the supposition 

 that a breed once established will always retain its peculiarities 

 under every variety of situation and circumstance. IN ever was a 

 greater mistake made than this. A breed of animals will most in- 

 fallibly adapt itself to its food and treatment. Durham cattle, for 

 instance, can never long be made, on the hills of New-England, to 

 retain their size. How is it at present with Berkshire swine ? It 

 would not be out of the way to say that there will soon be an end- 

 less number of varieties, all springing from this breed, having as 

 little resemblance to each other as to other breeds. Let us ask the 

 question how the present distinct breeds of cattle, swine, and sheep 

 were produced. It was by uniform courses of feed, treatment, and 

 propagation. So well fixed in the breeds are certain peculiarities, by 

 this treatment, continued for a long time, that they will resist, /o;- a 

 while, changes of circumstances ; but they cannot continue to do it. 

 For instance, let cattle from the cold hills of Scotland be placed 

 upon warm rich prairies, and bred in their own line for twenty 

 generations, and then be compared with those fresh from their 



VOL. II. NO. II. X 



