CHAPTER IV. 

 The Emersion of the Imagines. 



This branch of the study of vegetable galls is beset with many 

 difficulties and attended with very variable successes. 



The emersion of the imagines is of very great importance to 

 the gallist, especially with new forms of galls, but it is often very 

 disappointing in its results. 



Half-grown galls cannot be relied upon to complete their 

 growth under artificial conditions and yield the imagines. 

 Some may continue to grow, others will speedily shrivel. To 

 remove the plants to your garden, or in pots in your con- 

 servatory or study, is perhaps the best plan to ensure their 

 continued growth ; but the artificial surroundings are not 

 always suitable, and " something goes wrong." 



Greater difficulties have to be overcome as regards galls 

 growing on bushes and trees. One exception to these, however, 

 is found in the willows, the twigs of which, if gathered in the 

 early spring and put in water, will throw out a number of 

 rootlets, the catkins and leaves unfold, the galls arrive at 

 maturity, and the twigs themselves may afterwards be planted 

 in pots or in the open ground. 



The succulent summer galls require great care. Those of 

 the autumn are more trouble, and seldom yield any satisfactory 

 results. 



Each twig bearing a gall which shows a difference from any 

 others of the same species should be kept separate, and for 

 such purpose the ordinary medicine and perfume bottles are very 

 suitable. When these conditions are not possible, none but 

 mature galls should be gathered. Those which do not require 

 moisture to keep them in such a condition as to allow the 



