Page 73 - Design in Nature

Follicle

Infundibulum

Immature
Egg ovum
yolk

Magnum
Albumin Isthmus
protein in Two shell membranes are
secreted secreted loosely around the
here ovum and albumin

Shell gland
Genital tract
Vagina

The figure shows phases
of development of a
chicken egg in the ovary.
Cloaca It takes about fifteen to
sixteen hours for a
chicken egg to form after
fertilisation.

The Design of an Egg for Durability

The durability of an eggshell is as crucial as its functioning in terms of
air, water and heat. It has to withstand external impact as well as the weight
of the incubating parent.
A closer examination reveals that eggs are designed for sufficient
durability. Allah created smaller and larger eggs different from one another.
Eggs of larger birds are usually harder and less flexible whereas eggs of
smaller birds are softer and more elastic.
Chicken eggs are rigid and rough, but they do not break when falling
over one another. The rigid shell also protects them from attack. If smaller

eggs were to be as rigid and rough as the chicken egg, they would have
broken much easier. Studies show smaller eggs are not rigid, but sturdy and
flexible, which prevents them from breaking under impact.