An Introduction to Nature-studyStenhouse, E. (Ernest)
History
An Introduction to Nature-study
Stenhouse, E. (Ernest)
Natural history -- Study and teaching; Nature study
Notice the gradual absorption of the white of the egg as development
proceeds.
4. Chick after one day’s incubation.—Notice that the embryo is
now to be distinguished as a streak crossing the germinal disc in a
[Pg 288]
direction at right angles to the long axis of the egg. Notice a rounded
swelling at one end of the embryo; this is the head. Place the egg
before you with the broad end to your left, and observe that the head
of the embryo points away from you.
5. Chick after two days’ incubation.—Observe the increase in
size of the embryo; make a note of its length. The head and neck of
the embryo are now almost covered by a very thin transparent bag which
has grown over it from the sides. This bag is called the amnion;
it is filled with fluid, and protects the embryo from jars. Remove
the amnion and notice the large head; it is now twisted so that
its left side lies against the yolk, while the rest of the embryo
still lies “face-down.” Observe the large eye on the right side of
the head; the left eye cannot be seen without turning the head over.
Notice the heart, a small red dot which by help of a lens can be
seen to beat rapidly. Surrounding the embryo is a circular network of
blood-vessels which bring food from the yolk to the heart, to be
distributed to the various parts of the body. How large is the circular
area of blood-vessels?
6. Chick after three days’ incubation.—The white of the egg is
distinctly shrunken, and the network of blood-vessels is much larger
than before. Remove the amnion and notice the marked increase in size
of the embryo, especially of the head. The right side of the head and
neck are still turned towards the shell. They are now quite free from
the yolk, but the body of the embryo communicates with the yolk by a
short, wide tube, the yolk-stalk. Try to see a small pit, a little
above and behind the large eye. This is the beginning of the right
ear. Measure the embryo and the width of the surrounding network of
blood-vessels. Watch, through a lens, the beating of the heart.
7. Chick after four days’ incubation.—Carefully cut open the
amnion to see the embryo better. Observe that the young chick is still
more completely folded off from the yolk, and that the yolk-stalk is
consequently narrower than before. The head is so strongly bent upon
itself that the snout almost touches the tail. The body also has now
turned over so as to lie with its left side on the yolk. Observe the
two pairs of small buds which are the rudiments of the limbs.
[Pg 289]
8. Chick after five days’ incubation.—Cut open the amnion,
and notice the great increase in size of the embryo, and especially
the enormous development of the head. The limbs now show signs of
division into segments. Observe, under the hinder end of the body, a
small, bladder-like outgrowth, the allantois, which in the later
stages grows rapidly and spreads all round the inside of the shell. It
is the breathing organ of the chick.
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