288 THE OVARIAN EGG. 
irregular, and under the effect of light they are 
exceedingly brilliant. Presently, instead of being 
scattered equally over the space they occupy, 
they form clusters, — constellations, as it were, 
— and between these clusters are clear spaces, 
produced by the separation of the albumen from 
the oil." 
At this period of its growth there is a wonder- 
ful resemblance between the appearance of the 
egg, as seen under the microscope, and the fir- 
mament with the celestial bodies. The little 
clusters or constellations are unequally divided. 
Here and there they are two and two like double 
stars, or sometimes in threes or fives, or in sevens, 
recalling the Pleiades ; and the clear albuminous 
tracks between are like the empty spaces separat- 
ing the stars. This is.no fanciful simile. It is 
simply true that such is the actual appearance of 
the yolk at this time; and the idea cannot but 
suggest itself to the mind, that the thoughts 
which have been embodied in. the universe are 
recalled here within the little egg, presenting a 
miniature diagram of the firmament. This is 
one of the first changes of the yolk, ending by 
forming regular clusters, with a sort of network 
of albumen between, and then this phase of the 
growth is complete. 
Now the clusters of the yolk separate, and next 
the albumen in its turn concentrates into clusters, 
