Under these circumstances the wind-eggs turn into
fertile eggs, and the previously impregnated eggs follow the breed
of the impregnator; but if the latter impregnation takes place
during the change of the yellow to the white, then no change in the
egg takes place: the wind-egg does not become a true egg, and the true
egg does not take on the breed of the latter impregnator. If when
the egg-substance is small copulation be intermitted, the previously
existing egg-substance exhibits no increase; but if the hen be again
submitted to the male the increase in size proceeds with rapidity.
The yolk and the white are diverse not only in colour but also
in properties. Thus, the yolk congeals under the influence of cold,
whereas the white instead of congealing is inclined rather to liquefy.
Again, the white stiffens under the influence of fire, whereas the
yolk does not stiffen; but, unless it be burnt through and through, it
remains soft, and in point of fact is inclined to set or to harden
more from the boiling than from the roasting of the egg. The yolk
and the white are separated by a membrane from one another. The
so-called 'hail-stones', or treadles, that are found at the
extremity of the yellow in no way contribute towards generation, as
some erroneously suppose: they are two in number, one below and the
other above.
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