THE COCK. 
37 
opposed to one of his own species: and in every part of the 
world where refinement and polished manners have not entirely 
taken place, cock-fighting is a principal diversion. In China, 
India, the Philippine Islands, and all over the east, cock- 
fighting is the sport and amusement even of kings and princes. 
With us it is declining every day ; and it is to be hoped it 
will in time become only the the pastime of the lowest vulgar. 
It is the opinion of many that we have a bolder and more va- 
liant breed than is to be found elsewhere ; but the truth is, 
they have cocks in China as bold, if not bolder than ours ; 
and, what would still be considered as valuable among cockers 
here, they have strength with less weight. 
The egg of a common hen weighs one ounce six drams. 
Upon breaking the shell, a line membrane is found, which 
lines the shell; next to this is the external white, which is 
the shape of the egg, and then the internal white, which is 
r atl»er rounder, and which incloses the yolk, which is quite 
r °und. Each of these parts is contained in a fine membrane. 
With respect to the pretended cocks eggs, which are said 
to be without a yolk, and which, if set under a hen, credu- 
lity reports as likely to produce a serpent, they are no other 
than the first production of a pullet too young for laying, or 
the last effort of an old hen, which has been exhausted by 
her own fecundity. 
The hen seldom clutches a brood of chickens above once a 
reason, though instances have been known in which they 
have produced two. The number of eggs a domestic hen 
will lay in the year are above two hundred, provided she be 
well fed, and supplied with water and liberty. It matters not 
wiuch whether she be trodden by the cock or not ; she will 
continue to lay, although all the eggs of this kind can never 
oy hatching be brought to produce a living animal. 
. As soon as an egg inlaid, it begins to transpire, and loses, 
ln a little time, some grains of its weight. If it continues 
exposed to the air, the inside hardens, and contracts a bad 
flavour ; but, to prevent this effect, it is only necessary to 
cover the outside of the shell with a varnish, or with oily 
fatter which shield it from the air. It is obvious, however, 
fit Ifi 6 Varn * s ^ must removed if the eggs are designed for 
Tfie hen makes her nest without any care, if left, to herself; 
a hole scratched in the ground, among a few bushes, is the 
only preparation she makes for this season of patient expec- 
a ion. Nature, almost exhausted by its own fecundity, 
'Cems 1° inform her of the proper time for hatching, which 
s le herself testifies by a clucking note, and by discontinuing 
