The Scottish Naturalist. 311 



globular, becoming brown ; each is tenanted by one or 

 two larvae of Cecidomyia (? Thalictri H. Lw.), which 

 pupate in the soil ; at Kinloch-Rannoch in September. 

 T.S.N., New Ser., L, 206. 



T. majus, var. flexuosum, ? Similar galls found by Dr. 

 Power in Fife. (Ent. Monthly Mag., XVIII., p. 116). 



Ranunculus repens (Buttercup). Sometimes one finds the 

 margins of the lobes of the lower leaves rolled inwards, 

 and somewhat thickened, fleshy, and firm, but without 

 marked change of colour. In fact, the change is scarcely 

 such as to entitle the bodies to be included among galls. 

 I have not found larva? or living pupae in these structures, 

 though I have seen cocoons in them near Aberdeen. 

 They are probably the work of Cecidomyia Ranunculi 

 Bremi, a species recorded by Mr. E. A. Fitch from 

 Essex. 

 I have this summer (1887), in July, found the flowers of R. 

 repens deformed and dwarfed in one or two localities 

 near Aberdeen. They bore traces of insect agency ; but 

 before I found them the larvae had gone. So far as 

 could be judged, they appeared to be the work of gall- 

 midges. The flowers remained closed or only half- 

 open. 



Cardamine pratensis. (Lady's smock or Cuckoo-flower), the 

 galls are much swollen flower-buds, all parts of which 

 become thick and fleshy, and cease to serve their 

 usual functions. The larvae of Cec. Cardaminis Winn, 

 live between the thickened organs in considerable num- 

 bers. They pupate in the soil. Usually from two to 

 six lower buds of each inflorescence are galled. These 

 galls are not uncommon, though local, near Aberdeen, 

 in May (T.S.N., New Ser., I. 207) ; and Dr. White re- 

 ports ihem from Perthshire. 

 Several midge-galls have been found elsewhere, galling flowers 

 of other crucifers ; and some of these will probably yet 

 be found in Scotland ; e.g., on Barharea vulgaris. 



Helianthemum vulgare (Rock Rose). The galls assume the 

 form of enlarged terminal buds, the leaves in which over- 

 lap one another, instead of spreading, and shelter the 

 larvae. Common in many places along the Dee, at 



