42 BRITISH OAK GALLS. 



sufficiently grown to be of advantage and therefore 

 it is well to allow tliem to remain in situ. In order to 

 find them again on the next visit to the spot the twig 

 should have a piece of string tied on it leaving the 

 long ends loose. Make a note of any feature that will 

 facilitate identification of tree or bush. Brown 

 coloured string will not be readily noticed by anyone 

 passing the spot, but the collector will soon find it 

 again. The author has watched the growth and after- 

 wards obtained many fine specimens in that way. 



Great care has been taken in the selection and 

 arrangement of the specimens illustrated in the follow- 

 ing plates, and also in the descriptions of the species, 

 to assist the collector in discovering them. It is not, 

 therefore, here necessary to describe the usual part of 

 tree or bush most likely to yield specimens. 



Leisure and patience are needful and a thorough exa- 

 mination of twigs, leaf-axils, and leaves should be made. 



When searching for oak galls the peculiarities of 

 the alternation of the generations should not be for- 

 gotten, and therefore districts should be sought, and 

 frequently visited, where the woods contain plenty of 

 oak saplings of from three to eight years' growth, with 

 a number of large trees there as well, or near by. 

 Very damp woods do not usually yield many kinds. 

 The reason why is as yet unknown. 



Diligent and careful search amongst oak scrub is 

 generally rewarded with many specimens. Not only 

 should the outer twigs and leaves of a bush be 

 thoroughly scrutinised, but examination made of the 

 interior and the small shoots at the base. 



The stunted growth on road-side banks, especially 

 the banks of old or little-used lanes, shoidd always 

 receive attention, and hedges around fields amply 

 repay careful search. 



A windy day is not recommended as a suitable 

 occasion on which to search. The continual move- 

 ment of the foliage makes detection very difficult and 

 wearies the eyes. 



