ure chick. 3. As the
cicatricula of these eggs is given by the cock, and is evidently the
rudiment of the new animal; we may conclude, that the embryon is produced
by the male, and the proper food and nidus by the female. For if the female
be supposed to form an equal part of the embryon, why should she form the
whole of the apparatus for nutriment and for oxygenation? the male in many
animals is larger, stronger, and digests more food than the female, and
therefore should contribute as much or more towards the reproduction of the
species; but if he contributes only half the embryon and none of the
apparatus for sustenance and oxygenation, the division is unequal; the
strength of the male, and his consumption of food are too great for the
effect, compared with that of the female, which is contrary to the usual
course of nature.

In objection to this theory of generation it may be said, if the animalcula
in femine, as seen by the microscope, be all of them rudiments of
homunculi, when but one of them can find a nidus, what a waste nature has
made of her productions? I do not assert that these moving particles,
visible by the microscope, are homunciones; perhaps they may be the
creatures of stagnation or putridity, or perhaps no creatures at all; but
if they are supposed to be rudiments of homunculi, or embryons, such a
profusion of them corresponds with the general efforts of nature to provide
for the continuance of her species of animals. Every individual tree
produces innumerable seeds, and every individual fish innumerable spawn, in
such inconceivable abundance as would in a short space of time crowd the
earth and ocean with inhabitants; and these are much more perfect animals
than the animalcula in femine can be supposed to be, and perish in
uncounted millions. This argument only shews, that the productions of
nature are governed by general laws; and that by a wise superfluity of
provision she has ensured their continuance.

2. That the embryon is secreted or produced by the male, and not by the
conjunction of fluids from both male and female, appears from the analogy
of vegetable seeds. In the large flowers, as the tulip, there is no
similarity of apparatus between the anthers and the stigma: the seed is
produced according to the observations of Spallanzani long before the
flowers open, and in consequence long before it can be impregnated, like
the egg in the pullet. And after the prolific dust is shed on the stigma