i3Y B. EMBLETON, M.D. 71 



layers, as in different other birds, will be found wbite, or blue, or 

 green, or pink, indicating different degrees of excitement or of 

 inflammatory action in the different parts of the lining mem- 

 brane of the ^'uterus." 



"When any of the layers of the shell are red, and it is chiefly 

 the exterior ones which are so, it is inferred that the lining mem- 

 brane was as highly inflamed, at the part that produced the red 

 plaster, as it is possible for it to be, short of disorganisation, and 

 the admitting of a speedy return to its normal state ; the colour- 

 ing matter of the blood, meanwhile, varying in quantity accord- 

 ing to the degree of excited action present, having escaped from 

 the vessels and become thoroughly incorporated with the calcare- 

 ous mucus. 



Setting aside the lime, this red fluid has very much the ap- 

 pearance of the red, rust-coloured mucus, expectorated from the 

 human lungs in cases of inflammation of these organs. 



In any of the above cases of coloured eggs there may be, in 

 addition, actual rupture of blood vessels from over distension and 

 abrasion, and consequently freckling, spotting, or blotching of 

 one or more layers of the shell will of necessity occur. 



In the eggs of the game fowl. Partridge, and Pheasant, this 

 red colour alone pervades the shell. In those of the Grouse, 

 Guinea Powl, and Turkey, we find in addition numerous blotches, 

 spots, or freckles, of a much darker red than that of the ground, 

 scattered profusely all over the surface. 



In order to heighten the probability that the red spottings on 

 the different layers of the shell arc owing to escapes of blood, it 

 must be observed that it is only after the first layer of the cal- 

 careous coating has become consolidated on tlie exterior of the 

 shell membrane, that the large rough Qgg, grating upon the 

 delicate lining membrane, will have any tendency to irritate and 

 abrade its minute but turgid vessels. It is then only that we 

 begin first to find red spots or blotches on the succeeding layers, 

 any of which may be so marked ; and generally the last or most 

 external is that which is most marked, the egg luiviug acquired 

 its maximum size. 



If these markings are not due to blood, but to the secretions of 



