BULLETIN 39, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [6] 



the specimen SO treated in a covered box, in which you Lave first placed 

 a layer of corn meal about an inch in depth. The object of this treat- 

 ment is to allow the water injected to come in contact with the more 

 tender parts of the embryo and to accelerate decomposition. In order 

 to remove the contents through a small hole, these must be allowed to 

 decompose. A strong solution of Caustic Potash injected as before 

 stated accelerates matters, reducing the embryo to a soft soapy 

 mass, and such treatment does not injure the shell of the egg. Next 

 place the box, after closing the lid, in a warm place, either in the 

 sun or under a stove, and let it remain undisturbed for about 48 

 hours. Eepeat this operation two or three times, always assisting 

 the removal of any small particles which may be forced out of the hole 

 by cutting such away with a thin-bladed pair of scissors; curved 

 pointed ones are the best for this purpose. Do not try to pull the 

 embryo out, nor to empty the egg at one operation; use a little 

 patience, and in this manner most far-advanced eggs can be emptied 

 through a reasonably small aperture. The egg should be refilled 

 with fresh water after each operation. Do not try to take the inner 

 lining of the shell out, in case it becomes detached during the rotting 

 process; it does no harm by remaining, while the chances are that you 

 will break the egg, which is naturally much weakened without this 

 skin, if you attempt to remove it. Occasionally a collector may obtain 

 rare unblown specimens in which the contents have completely dried 

 up and hardened, and it may puzzle him how to empty such eggs. Un- 

 less they contained large embryos when first found, or when abandoned 

 by the parents, they may easily be blown by the following directions : 



Take common bicarbonate of soda, dissolve about 3 tablespoonfuls 

 to a pint of water and simply inject this solution in the egg and treat 

 as previously mentioned. Kepeat this once or twice at intervals of 48 

 hours and you will probably have no great difficulty in emptying your 

 specimens through a moderately small hole, and the shell will not be 

 injured by this solution. 



In blowing small and delicate eggs, I find the use of an egg-holder of 

 considerable assistance, and consider this mode of holding a small egg 

 much safer and far more convenient than taking the specimen between 

 the tips of the fiugers. To make one, take a piece of thin wire, say 

 from 6 to 8 inches long, bend both ends in the shape of a circular loop 

 of the required size, again bend the wire exactly in the center, so that 

 the loops face each other somewhat like a pair of sugar tongs, and you 

 have a holder. The wire used should be springy and elastic, so that 

 it will readily give somewhat and hold the egg securely, but not too 

 tightly at the same time. Brass wire answers the purpose very well. 



It is alwajs preferable to blow eggs at home, or after returning to 

 camp. You have usually better facilities then to do your work neatly 

 than in the field, where one is apt to be in a hurry, and often to have 

 no water to rinse the ipside of the eggs thoroughly after blowing them. 



