BRITISH VEGETABLE GALLS. 



CHAPTER I. 

 What is a Vegetable Gall? 



The Vegetable Galls constitute a branch of study and research 

 that seems to have been much neglected by students of Nature 

 generally. The galls, and the agents concerned in producing 

 them, have not received the attention of botanists and ento- 

 mologists which they deserve, since they are such valuable 

 adjuncts to both classes of students and collectors. This is 

 somewhat remarkable, since the botanist, while in pursuit of 

 specimens for examination or the herbarium, must frequently 

 find plants with galls upon them. The practical entomologist, 

 in gathering the food-plants for the home-reared larva;, cannot 

 fail to notice the deformities and protuberances on the leaves ; 

 while if it be desired to secure the tiny Diptcra, Hymenoptera, 

 and other imagines, in their pristine beauty, rearing from the 

 galls is almost a sine qua tton. 



But there are persons who, in their study of Nature, have 

 not met with galls, or if they have, little or no attention has 

 been paid to them. 



Like all pursuits, when for the first time prominently 

 brought to notice, the subject of galls and gall-collecting calls 

 forth enquiries as to what they are, and where they are to be 

 found. Before attempting to give a concise reply to the 

 question. What is a vegetable gall? it will be as well briefly 

 to consider the etymology of the word " gall " ; its history 

 in English literature, in so far as it throws any light upon 

 the answer ; and also to consider the opinions of some English 

 writers who have given the subject their attention. 



