32 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
The tank is of a most substantial character, the whole of the joints being lapped over and seamed, thus 
securing immunity from breakage. Copper tanks are strongly advised in preference to galvanized iron, the 
latter rarely lasting more than a couple of years whereas the copper tank will last a lifetime. The old 
difficulty in connection with eggs that are gluey or sticky and difficult to hatch has been successfully overcome 
in the construction of the " Eclipse." ^Many Incubators fail in hatching eggs of this description owing to the 
moisture remaining too long over the eggs, thus creating a clammy atmosphere. It is generally supposed 
that this sticky substance is traceable to the birds that laid the eggs, by being fed with improper food, and is 
much more in evidence with duck eggs than with fowls' eggs. The " Eclipse," being essentially a wet 
machine, has a decided advantage over others which require to have the eggs sprirkled while undergoing the 
process of incubation. 
Another valuable invention in the "Eclipse" is the construction of the egg-drawer. This is so con- 
structed that the cu;ij;-drawL'r, containing loo eggs, can be taken out, the eg<is completely turned, and placed hack 
again in ilie drau'ci in 10 (ten ) seconds, ^\'e question if there is another machine in existence where such a 
saving of labour can be effected in the turning of the eggs. The lamp requires no filling with oil, as a 
self-feeding fountain is attached which contains sufficient for one month's supply, and instances have occurred 
in which two successive hatchings ha\-e taken place, and the lamp not touched. The best oil procurable was 
used. The water trav is also supplied with a self-feeding fountain, thus preventing the necessity, as in other 
machines, of touching either lamp or water-tray during the progress of a hatch. The self-regulating gear is 
Fig. 25.— The "Eclipse" Incubator. 
nicely adjusted, being very sensitive to the influence of the capsule in the egg-drawer. A thumb-screw is 
attached above the chain, to diminish or increase the length of chain in accordance with the temperature in 
the egg-drawer. 
The lamp is fitted to the flue, the extinguisher having a small lead weight attached to prevent the danger 
of sticking, the action of which assists to remove burnt wick at intervals, it merely requiring a slight touch on 
the lever-bar to clear all obstructions from the burner. 
The drying-chamber in the " Eclipse " is at the bottom of the machine, as it is recognised by scientists 
that it is more natural to have the heat over the birds instead of underneath. As an example which is forcible, 
a man standing in a heated brick-kiln will find that the heat has an effect on his system, and weakens his 
extremities; this applied to young and delicate chickens must have a bad effect, thus proving that top-heat 
for chickens is far the more rational idea. The thermometer is carefully tested and corrected to the proper 
scale, and, as a further guide, if the machine has been running steadily at a uniform temperature of loi deg. 
Fahr., and the birds are out of the shell one day before their time the glass has indicated i deg. too hot, and 
if two days 2 deg. ; and if, on the other hand, hatching is delayed the therm'ometer is registering too low. 
To a certain degree this holds good either way, but after that it is death to the chicks. 
An interesting experiment was tried by Messrs. Ellis and Dobeson in keeping the temperature at 94 deg. 
Fahr., the chickens hatching seven days after their proper time, but the birds were extremely weak, the tem- 
