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Ooscopy and Comantia

Two methods of divination by eggs. An example under the former name is related by Suetonius, who says, that Livia, when she was anxious to know whether she should be the mother of a boy or girl, kept an egg in her bosom at the proper temperature, until a chick with a beautiful cockscomb came forth. The latter name denotes a method of divining the signs or characters appearing in eggs. The custom of pasche or paste eggs, which are stained with various colours, and given away at Easter, is well known, and is described at considerable length by Brand. The custom is most religiously observed in Russia, where it is derived from the Greek Church. Gilded or coloured eggs are mutually exchanged both by men and women, who kiss one another, and if any coolness existed previously become good friends again on these occasions. The egg is one of the most ancient and beautiful symbols of the new birth, and has been applied to natural philosophy as well as the spiritual creation of man.