CHAPTER Yl. 



HINTS ON COLLECTING AND MOUNTING 

 OAK GALLS. 



Collecting oak galls is not at all difficult. Searching 

 for them is a delightful occupation. Good eyesight is 

 essential, because there are many kinds small in size 

 and obscure in growth. 



The equipment for collecting is simple. A vasculum 

 fitted with a broad shoulder-strap is no trouble to 

 carry ; but if the collector's object be to make an 

 extensive collection, or to photograph the various 

 forms and aberrations of galls, it is necessar^^ to carry 

 a spacious receptacle for the specimens. Several small 

 tin boxes are likewise necessary. In them rare or 

 special specimens can be put without fear of damage 

 they might sustain amongst the other twigs. 



One essential implement of the collector is a pair of 

 nippers with sharp edges (Fig. 1). They far suri:)ass 

 a knife in efficiency for severing twigs. To cut twigs 

 Avith some kinds of galls on them (e. g. Aphilothrix 

 alhopundata, A. Maljngltii) with a knife is in most 

 instances to lose the gall, because the movement of 

 the twig will jar off the gall, and when it has fallen 

 amongst grass, leaves, etc., it is exceedingly difficult 

 to recover. 



When using nippers to a twig which has upon it a 

 scarce gall, or a very fine example, a sheet of paper 

 spread beneath the twig will enable the gall to ])e 

 recovered if it should fall off. 



A pruner or averancator, with cord attached, is 

 another requisite (Fig. 2). "When on the end of a 

 stick, specimens can be secured which otherwise would 



