EMBETOLOGY 



EXERCISE XI 

 Formation of the Egg 



Secure an old hen, and if possible one in the 

 laying condition. Kill her by sticking, extra 

 care being taken to bleed thoroughly. Lay the 

 bird on her back and with a sharp knife skin the 

 breast and abdomen as far back as the cloaca. 

 Tear the peritoneum, which is the membrane 

 lining the intestinal cavity, and remove the 

 organs of digestion, namely, liver, gizzard, in- 

 testines, spleen, etc., being \ery careful not to 

 rupture the oviduct or ovaries. 



At the same time prepare a fresh egg for study. 

 Break the shell carefully, and allow the contents 

 to run into a shallow dish without rupturing any 

 more than possible. Most of the parts dis- 

 cussed can be seen with the naked eye. 



Examine organs of reproduction as they lie in 

 their normal position. They consist of a single 

 ovary and oviduct; the ovary lying on the left 

 side of the body resembles somewhat a bunch of 



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