Note 59 — Second Part.

It is evident from this that Meier in his above mentioned Article on Paederastia is wrong in citing the expression αἰσχρουργὸς (worker of obscenities) as being used for the direct equivalent of cinaedus. Incidentally we would take this opportunity of further observing that the word παιδοκόραξ (boy-raven, i.e. a person ravenous after boys), which is also mentioned in the same Article as synonymous with cinaedus, is wrongly referred to paederastia, for it really, like the Latin corvus (raven), signifies a fellator. Its true explanation is given in Pliny, Hist. Nat. bk. X. ch. 15., Corvi pariunt cum plurimum quinos. Ore eos parere aut coire vulgus arbitratur. (Ravens produce at most a brood of five each pair. The vulgar believe these birds produce or copulate with the mouth).—Aristoteles (De gen anim. Bk. III. ch. 6.) negat,—sed illam exosculationem, quae saepe cernitur, qualem in columbis, esse. (Aristotle denies this,—but adds that there is the same billing, which is often noticed, as with doves). Hence also Martial, bk. XIV. Epigr. 74.,

(You raven that salute your mate, why are you thought to be a fellator? No member ever penetrated into your head). Greek Anthology, bk. II. Tit. 9. 13., λευκὸν ἰδεῖν κόρακα (a white crow to all appearance).