286 DISEASES OF POULTRY. 



There are some startling facts on the subject of para- 

 sitic insects, to be found in the " Monographia Anoplu- 

 rorum Brittanniae," by the late Henry Denny, a work 

 which, although with a dog-latin title, that has doubtless 

 limited its circulation, is written in such plain and truth- 

 ful English, as to make the flesh creep on one's bones. 

 It is not easy to enjoy uninterrupted slumber the night 

 after reading Mr. Denny's monograph. 



" The author has had to contend with repeated re- 

 bukes from his friends for entering upon the illustration 

 of a tribe of insects whose very name was sufficient to 

 create feelings of disgust. ' Why not take up some more 

 interesting or popular department of entomology V has 

 been the frequent remark made to him. He considered, 

 however, that if he wished to render any service to 

 science, he must not consult popular taste or ephemeral 

 fashion, but must take a page from that part of the great 

 ' Book of Nature,' less generally read, and consequently 

 less understood and appreciated by the workTat large." 



The number and variety of species given is frightful ; 

 some of those which infest poultry are, 



" Goniocotes hologaster (Louse of the Domestic Fowl). 



" Goniodes falcicornis (Louse of the Peacock).' — This 

 beautiful (!) parasite is common upon the peacock, and 

 may be found, after the death of the bird, congregated 

 in numbers about the base of the beak and crown of the 

 head. During the year 1827, three or four specimens ot 

 Pavo cristatus having passed through my hapds, upon 

 each of which I observed, for the first time, several ex- 

 amples of the large and well-marked parasite of this bird, 

 the Goniodes falcicornis, I was induced to examine 

 whatever other species of birds, &c. might come in my 

 way, to ascertain whether great diversity in size or ap- 

 pearance existed between the parasites of different 

 species or genera. This I soon found to be so consider- 

 able, that I resolved upon forming a collection, and 

 ascertaining what was written upon the parasitic 

 tribes. 



" Goniodes stylifer (Louse of the Turkey). — Common 

 upon the turkey, frequenting the head, neck, and breast ; 

 a very beautiful species. The males of this and all the 



