BY D. EMBLETON, M.D. 75 



5. Such as are unspotted, being of a uniform colour all over, 

 or white. 



The whole number of eggs examined was 4376 ; of these 2440 

 belonged to the first section, 128 to the second, 7 to the third, 

 985 to the fourth, and 816 to the fifth. 



The eggs in the Museum of the I^atural History Society of 

 JL^orthumberland, Durham, and JSTewcastle-upon-Tyne, were also 

 examined, and were found to number 2734 specimens. Of these 

 1693 belonged to the first section, 109 to the second, 6 to the 

 third, 364 to the fourth, and 562 to the fifth. 



Adding together the eggs of the two collections we have a 

 total of 7110 specimens examined. Of these there belong to the 

 first section 4133, to the second 237, to the third 13, to the 

 fourth 1349, and to the fifth 1378. 



The proportions of these numbers may perhaps be more readily 

 appreciated if we take a round number, say 1000 eggs; of this 

 number there will be of the first section 581*29, or more than 

 half, of the second 33*33, of the third 1'828, of the fourth 189-73, 

 and of the fifth 193-81. 



Prom these observations and computations it is inferred that 

 it is the large end which would offer the greatest obstacle during 

 the passage of the egg, and which would therefore be likely 

 to be most marked by blood if any were effused, which, in the 

 great majority of cases among wild birds, is the first to descend 

 the oviduct to be laid. Karely is the small end, which would 

 offer the least resistance, marked as much as the larger one. 



The observation of the Stagirite is therefore confirmed, ' ' The 

 round end is produced first." 



A great many of the first section of the above eggs are com- 

 paratively flat at the large end, and have a blotch of variable 

 size and form, of more or less dark red, or brown almost ap- 

 proaching black, covering the apex, whilst the surface around is 

 much less, or only slightly spotted or blotched. Such eggs seem 

 to have been suddenly and forcibly driven against some strongly 

 contracted part of the oviduct or the closed sphincter, which 

 had as suddenly been burst through, with rupture of blood ves- 

 sels at the part, and thus a daub of blood liad been left deposited 



