MISCELLANY. 
55 
Anecdote of the Raven. —An amusing anecdote was lately told me of this 
bird. Between Scarborough and Bridlington, by the road-side, stands the Dottrel 
Inn, in the yard belonging to which a tame Raven was kept (by no means an 
uncommon occurrence in such places). From the repeated opportunities the bird 
had of hearing the word 44 holla!” used by the equestrian at the door when de¬ 
sirous of quenching his 44 lowin drouth,” it learned to articulate the dissyllable 
with great nicety, and, as will be shown, once in its lifetime much to the purpose 
A person who had been amusing himself with shooting sea-fowl at Speeton Cliffe 
was returning to the hostelry for refreshment, and prudently wished to discharge 
the loaded gun previous to entering the house. At this moment 44 Corby,” who 
was taking an airing on the wing, came within range of the piece. To the 
sportsman this was irresistible—the gun was levelled—but before the fore-finger 
could be called into fatal action, the word 44 holla !” smote the ears of the terrified 
gunner. It was indeed a voice from the clouds ! The piece was instantly 
lowered from the shoulder, and there the man stood in silent horror and astonish¬ 
ment, watching the homeward flight of poor Ralph.— Patrick Hawkridge, 
Scarborough , Aug. 7, 1837. [~No doubt the poor fellow considered his case similar 
to that of 44 Balaam and his Ass !”— Ed ] 
Wonders of the Inscct Creation. —Mr. Denny, Sub-Curator of the Leeds 
Philosophical Society (whose scientific acquirements and perseverance in scientific 
inquiries are highly appreciated by all connected with that institution), has been 
for some time engaged on an undertaking which at first may appear singular, if not 
disgusting, but which, like all investigations into the works of Nature, is sure to be 
productive of increased reverence and admiration among all who are wise enough 
to make those works the objects of their attentive study. He has resolved on 
endeavouring to obtain a specimen of every kind of parasitic insect belonging to 
the order Anoplura of Leach, and to give in a single volume both a correct repre¬ 
sentation and a minute description of each. The greatest number of species of 
Lice enumerated in any catalogue of British insects hitherto published, is 90 ; but 
Mr. Denny has already obtained no fewer than 140, and he believes that there are 
perhaps l(5o. We trust that as his book (which is to be published by subscrip¬ 
tion, at a guinea) will be materially enlarged, and of couse rendered more expensive 
to the author, as well as improved, by the increased number of plates and descrip¬ 
tions of parasitic insects, many who can afford to encourage talent and industry 
directed to really honourable objects, will add their names to the list. Distin¬ 
guished men of science, such as Dr. Buckland, feel an interest in the completion 
of this undertaking, and have exerted themselves to procure specimens for the 
author. Mr. Denny believes that almost every species of quadruped and bird has 
its peculiar parasite, and that many of them are infested by two, three, or even 
five distinct species. As we have stated, he has already obtained 140 different 
