MEASURING SPECIMENS. 



73 



calipers* can be used — a small size for the little eggs, 

 and a larger size for the big ones : though, unless the 

 calipers work very smoothly, accidents are likely to 

 happen. A more satisfactory method is to purchase 

 or make a machine with a sliding-bar, like a shoe- 



Fig. 11. 



maker's foot-measure of diminutive proportions. 

 Having fitted the bars snugly to your egg, ascertain 

 the distance between the bars by a pair of draughts- 

 man's dividers of the ordinary pattern, and find the 



FIG. 15. 



number of inches and hundredths by comparing with 

 some standard rule ; unless, indeed, the measuring 

 stick, upon which your egg lies and the movable bar 

 slides, is marked off in inches and hundredths of 

 an inch. It would be well to have a slight depres- 



