THE POULTRY BOOK. 
23 
of one which is the subject of a new patent by Mr. Minasi, and which appears in 
its present state to be as complete and as successful in its working as it is possible 
for any instrument of the kind to be. 
The heat necessary for the incubation of the eggs and rearing of the young 
chickens in the earlier stages of their growth is derived from gas, or from the com- 
bustion of naphtha in a lamp so constructed as not to require attention for many 
days. The heat so generated warms a reservoir of water, the under side of which is 
corrugated in a very ingenious manner, so as to support, by the aid of wires, a series 
of small narrow sandbags, against which the eggs are pressed. The close contact 
of the whole of the eggs (whatever may he their variation in size) with the warm 
sand is insured by their resting on cushions of spiral springs ; these are contained 
in drawers or sliding trays, which can he easily drawn out from under the incubator 
MINASI’S PATENT INCUBATOR. 
for the purpose of examination. As the eggs hatch they are removed to a part of 
the apparatus above the reservoir. This is most ingeniously constructed : there is 
a small tray for the chickens until such time as they are thoroughly dried and 
strong, when they are passed under a kind of artificial mother, which is peculiarly 
constructed in imitation of the plumage of the hen. It consists of a number of 
woollen wicks, each about four inches in length ; these hang down loosely between 
the legs of low stools placed over the warm reservoir. The chickens nestle between 
the pendant locks of wool, which thus form an admirable imitation of the warm 
feathery plumage of the parent hen. Connected with this part of the apparatus is 
a large feeding cage, into which the chickens run for food, water, and exercise. 
