7. DEVELOPMENT OF THE EGG IN INCUBATION.--The development of the egg
in incubation is very similar to the germination of a seed. An egg
consists of albuminous and fatty matters, so inclosed that, while
oxygen of the air is admitted, nutrient matters are excluded. During
incubation the egg changes into an embryo; it passes from an almost
unorganized to a highly-organized condition, from a lower to a higher
condition. There is work done: there must be expenditure of force;
but, as we have already seen, vital force is always derived from
decomposition. But, as the matters to be decomposed are not taken _ab
extra_, the egg must consume itself; that it does so, is proved by
the fact that in incubation the egg absorbs oxygen, eliminates CO₂
and probably H₂O, and loses weight. As in the seed, a portion of
the matters contained in the egg is consumed in order to create force
to organize the remainder. Matter runs down from plane No. 4 to plane
No. 2, and generates force to do the work of organization on plane No.
4. The amount of CO₂ and H₂O formed, and therefore the loss of
weight, is a measure of the amount of plastic work done.
8. DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CHRYSALIS SHELL.--It is well known that many
insects emerge from the egg not in their final form, but in a wormlike
form, called a larva. After this they pass into a second passive state,
in which they are again covered with a kind of shell--a sort of second
egg-state, called the chrysalis. From this they again emerge as the
perfect insect. The butterfly is the most familiar, as well as the
best, illustration of these changes. The larva or caterpillar eats with
enormous voracity, and grows very rapidly. When its growth is complete,
it covers itself with a shell, and remains perfectly passive and almost
immovable for many days or weeks. During this period of quiescence of
animal functions there are, however, the most important changes going
on within. The wings and legs are formed, the muscles are aggregated in
bundles for moving these appendages, the nervous system is more highly
developed, the mouth-organs and alimentary canal are greatly changed
and more highly organized, the simple eyes are changed into compound
eyes. Now, all this requires expenditure of force, and therefore
decomposition of matter; but no food is taken, therefore the chrysalis
must consume its own substance, and therefore lose weight. It does so;
the weight of the emerging butterfly is in many cases not one-tenth
that of the caterpillar. Force is stored up in the form of organic
matter only to be consumed in doing plastic work.
9. MATURE ANIMALS.--Whence do animals derive their vital force? I
answer, from the decomposition of their food and the decomposition of
their tissues.
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