1 8 British Vegetable Galls 



set aside to dry, with a small weight on it to keep it flat 

 and firm. By using two glasses any part of the creature can 

 be easily examined. The glasses should be carefully cleaned 

 before the creatures are placed in the cavity. 



Microscope slips may also be obtained with cavities of 

 various depths in them, in which the creatures can be placed, 

 and kept secure by a cover slip affixed, and ringed in the usual 

 manner. This kind obviates the necessity of card. 



When a large number of any of the small-sized galls can 

 be obtained, it is preferable that they should be mounted in 

 shallow wooden trays with glass tops, rather than occupy a 

 quantity of space in the cabinet. The trays should measure 

 10 in. long, 7 in. wide, and 2 in. deep inside, with sides ^ in. 

 thick. The glass lid should fit dust proof The interior may 

 be papered or painted white, cream, or French grey, one corner 

 being partitioned off to form a carbon cell. The outside 

 can be polished, painted, or covered with black paper. The 

 advantages with these cases are that they save cabinet room 

 and floor space, can be hung on a wall, and easily removed 

 for examination or exhibition purposes. Galls produced by 

 Lasioptera rubi, Diplosis tremidcB, Pemphigus biirsanus, Nematus 

 belltis, and others are very suitable for mounting in this manner. 



For larger galls, such as those caused by Scki::oneura lanigera 

 and Eriophyes rudis, glass-fronted cases i8 in. square and 4 in. 

 deep inside will be found a very suitable size. 



The specimens must be fastened in their places, and may be 

 pinned or scccotined, according to their requirements. Large 

 and heavy galls should be held by screws. 



This arrangement is very suitable by which to exhibit the 

 aberrations from the type form, immature growth, transverse 

 and longitudinal sections, and any other feature which it may be 

 desirable to illustrate. 



To prevent mites, which are so destructive in all collections 

 of natural history specimens, the cases should be kept replenished 

 with albo-carbon. It is inexpensive, and may be obtained at 

 almost any ironmonger's or oil-shop. 



Preserving galls in their natural beauty is a very difficult 

 matter. There does not appear to be any known or recognised 

 method by which they can be preserved from shrivelling and 

 loss of colour. If gathered when mature, the hard and woody 



