1038 
Bothnicus of Linneus, from Rannoch; of the typical form he had found only the 
female, but of the black form both sexes. 
Mr. D. Sharp also exhibited a number of the larve of Eros Aurora, from Ran- 
noch; they were found gregariously amongst rotten pine-chips, and though not (he 
supposed) naturally pupivorous, they had whilst in his possession fed principally on 
the pupz of other insects which happened to be in the same place of confinement; 
both larvae and imago were very sluggish in their habits. 
Prof. Westwood, on behalf of Mr. Wilson Armistead, of Virginia House, Leeds, 
read the following :— 
“Located in the midst of a smoky town and district, chiefly noted for its manu- 
facturing industry, I am desirous of obtaining the aid of my friends who are more 
favourably cireumstanced, in elucidating a somewhat neglected portion of Nature’s 
productions. I allude to those curious excrescences. popularly known as Galls. These 
are caused by the punctures of insects, chiefly Cynips, and are found of various 
forms on the oak, the rose, the willow, the speedwell, and many other trees and plants, 
sometimes presenting a very dissimilar appearance on the same plant, according to the 
insect by whose enchanting wand they are, as if by magic, brought forth. It is matter 
of surprise that these ‘little fairy palaces,’ as they have been aptly called, so ex- 
ceedingly varied and beautiful—some round as an apple, tinted like it, red and yellow; 
others like unripe currants; some resembling a honeycomb; some again miniature 
artichokes; some velvet cushions; some coral beads; and others tufts of moss—it is 
matter of surprise, I say, that these should have attracted apparently so little attention. 
They are, however, now claiming a greater share of notice. ‘Two or more continental 
observers have published works specially relating to them, one on the Galls of Switzer- 
land, by M. Berni, and another by Dr. Hammerschmidt, who has made the subject one 
of much research, giving drawings of 250 different kinds, and the insects producing 
them. A good deal has also been done during the last few years towards elucidating 
the American Galls. Count Osten-Sacken, the Russian Consul-General, has been a 
chief originator of some researches into them, followed up by Mr. Walsh, of Illinois, 
who has contributed valuable information respecting them to the Entomological 
Society of Philadelphia, published in their ‘ Proceedings.’ 
“Having myself been an observer of Galls and similar excrescences for twenty 
years or more, and having collected most of the British species, and some American 
ones during a visit to that country, I am preparing a volume to contain the result of 
these observations. This work will include drawings and descriptions, with some 
attempt at classification. A coloured drawing of each will be given where practicable, 
and a description of every known Gall, as far as my own observation extends, including 
those described by others, not omitting some similar excrescences known as pseudo- or 
semi-galls, whose production may be varivusly accounted for. An artist in London 
has been engaged to make drawings from specimens for the volume now proposed, and 
he has already produced some beautiful and faithful delineations. Being desirous of 
making the work as complete as possible, I shall esteem it a favour if any naturalist 
who may have observed or may possess any galls, wherever found, not hitherto known 
or described, would communicate with me, and furnish any particulars respecting 
them. 
“JT may add that I am in want of specimens to draw from of the leafy gall 
occurring on Genista tinctoria, of which I have description, but have not succeeded 
in meeting with it; also the cottony or woolly gall of the oak.” 
