ORDER gallin;e. 201 



capsule. They have no communication together but by 

 vessels, which hold the place of the umbilical cord ; but on 

 the nineteenth day it is introduced altogether into the abdo- 

 men, and by its presence so increases the volume of the 

 chicken, that there is no longer sufficient room for it in the 

 lymphatic bag where it was. This bursts, and the pul- 

 monary organs come in contact with the air, which has 

 penetrated into the egg^ to fill the void occasioned there by 

 evaporation. 



The chicken respires, whines, its vital force acquires more 

 energy, it moves, its limbs are developed, its bill is brought 

 into action, its shell is broken, and it issues forth. 



It is with reason that the tenderness and solicitude of the 

 hen for her chickens, have been so greatly celebrated. The 

 change which maternal love produces on her character and 

 habits, is truly worthy of admiration. Before, she was 

 voracious, insatiable, restless, timid, and pusillanimous ; once 

 become a mother, she is generous, frugal, temperate, reserved, 

 courageous, and intrepid. She assumes all the qualities that 

 distinguish the cock, and carries them even to a greater pitch 

 of perfection. When she advances into the poultry-yard, 

 surrounded by her young, which she leads there for the first 

 time, it would seem as if, proud of her new dignity, she took 

 pleasure in coming to fulfil its functions in the presence of 

 the male. Her walk is as grave and stately as that of the 

 cock himself in the midst of his hens. Her imitation of him 

 is complete; but she is also prepared to equal him in 

 courage, and to surpass him in vigilance and attachment to 

 her flock. 



Her eye are lively, animated, and wonderfully mobile ; 

 her looks are so prompt and rapid, that she seems to embrace 

 all objects with a single glance, to discover at one and the 

 same time the little seed which she points out to her young 



