Some experiments on the changes which take place in the fixed principles of the egg during incubation.

  • Prout, William, 1785-1850.
Date:
1822
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some experiments on the changes which take place in the fixed principles of the egg during incubation. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    3. That in the earlier stages of incubation, an interchange of principles takes place between the yelk and a portion of the albumen ; that this interchange is confined on the part of the yelk to a little of its oily matter, which is found mixed with the above mentioned albumen ; that this portion of albumen undergoes some remarkable changes, and is con- verted into a substance analogous in its appearance, as well as in some of its properties, to the curd of milk ; and lastly, that a portion of the watery and saline portion of the albumen is found mixed with the yelk, which becomes thus apparently increased in size. 4. That as incubation proceeds, the saline and watery parts again quit the yelk, which is thus reduced to its original bulk ; that in the last week of the process it undergoes still further diminution in weight, and loses the greater portion of its phosphorus, which is found in the animal converted into phosphoric acid, and in union with lime, constituting its bony skeleton ; and lastly, that this lime does not originally exist in the recent egg, but is derived from some unknown source during the process of incubation. These, and other interesting circumstances, arising out of the present inquiry, suggest some important hints respecting certain operations of the animal economy. They also serve to direct the attention of the microscopic inquirer to the in- vestigation of points, which it is probably within his power to elucidate, but of which, at present, we are ignorant. This part of the subject, however, cannot be in abler hands than it is at present. To the distinguished physiologists, there- fore, who have been recently engaged in the investigation, I willingly leave it, and shall conclude with a few remarks only