SPATHEGASTER SIMILIS. 131 



turns a brown colour, and may be found in that condi- 

 tion as late as the month of September. 



This gall was observed in England by Dr. Sir Thomas 

 Browne, and mentioned by him in correspondence with 

 Dr. Merrett in 1668 (see Introduction). 



Spathegaster similis, Adler. 

 (Plate LIT, div. B.) 



Spathegaster simiUs, Lieht., Mavr, Cameron. 



Eng-lish name of g-all. — " The Green Velvet-Bud Grail." 



Position of gall. — -In dormant adventitious luids of the bark 

 and small twigs. 



Manner of growth. — Solitary, sessile, pubescent, ovoid, pointed 

 at apex. 



Colours. — Pale green, green, pale brown. 



Average dimensions of a mature specimen. — Height, 

 2 mm. ; girth, 5 mm. 



May be sought during the months of April and May. 



Growth is complete by the end of May. 



The typical condition of the gall is unilocular and uuilarval. 



The larva pupates in the gall. The imago emerges during 

 May. 



Alternate agamic generation : Dryophanta longiventris, 

 Hartig. 



This gall was discovered by Dr. Adler in the course 

 of his experimental breeding with D. longiventris. 

 His remarks are as follows : " The gall is like Spatlie- 

 gaster Tascheuhergi but more slender and pointed ; of 

 greenish-grey colour and with a velvety rind. The 

 colour is caused by a greenish pigment, but this tint 

 is rendered dull by a covering of long white hairs, 

 imparting to it a grey tone. It is especially the 

 stronger and longer pubescence which is the important 

 distinction between this and the *S'. Tasclienhergi gall " 

 ('Alternating Generations,' p. 66). 



It is scarce in mau}^ localities, rare in others, and 

 not found at all in most districts. 



I have found but one specimen, which unfortunately 

 was not in a good condition. 



