96 r.KITISH OAK GALLS. 



239 illustrating a specimen (1870). It was also in- 

 dependently found by H. Moncrieff at Portsmouth in 

 January, 1873., the specimen being a good sized tAvig 

 with a large ao-greo-ation of o-alls around it. 



The galls may now be found in almost any hedgerow 

 containing oak bushes. 



When the habitat of this gall is understood there is 

 little difficulty in finding numerous specimens in 

 localities where they occur. It is almost certain to be 

 fomid quite low down near the roots in thick parts of 

 a hedge, sometimes hidden by dead leaves, moss, or 

 loose earth. Very seldom at a greater height than 

 three feet above the ground, and never on the higher 

 boughs, nor in a situation exposed to direct sunlight. 

 A favourite place is on a road-side bank which is well 

 covered with herbage, including small oak bushes 

 whose shoots are occasionally cut off by the hedge 

 trimmer. In such spots I have found some of the 

 best, and most remarkable specimens in my collection. 

 Diligent and careful search is however often necessary. 

 It appears to be restricted to certain areas, and not 

 found at all in some localities. It is one of the most 

 distinctive of the oak galls, and unlike any other 

 British species. 



An egg is laid by Andricns t<'sf<icrij)e>f beneath the 

 bark of a shoot in late summer. The "all beo^ins to 

 grow during September, and the bark soon rises in 

 consequence. At the close of the autumn, growth 

 ceases, but with the return of spring it is resumed. 

 About May the bark bursts, and the gall increases 

 rapidly. Before the end of July it has reached 

 maturity, and the larva pupated. During August and 

 September the imago develops Avithin the puparium, 

 but it does not emerge from 'the gall until the folloAving 

 spring. 



The red colour of the gall varies in intensity. I 

 have found them Avhere concealed from all light, of a 

 very pale yellow or cream colour, the apex only slightly 

 touched Avith pink. A cluster of this kind is depicted 



