28 British Vegetable Galls 



cell are occasionally so numerous and crowded together that 

 they coalesce, and the final condition is plurilocular. The 

 hypertrophied growths caused by various fungi are destitute of 

 larval chambers. As an adjunct to the description of a gall 

 when applicable and to indicate the normal number of cells of 

 which it should consist, these uni- and plurilocular designations 

 are of considerable value, and for that purpose alone they are 

 used in most of the following synoptical tables. 



VI. Anton Kerner's method of classing all galls under two 

 main divisions, simple and compound, divided into various 

 sub-sections, is excellent, but the numerous modifications which 

 are necessary do not appear (in our opinion) to be defined 

 clearly enough for actual use. Neither are the terms applied to 

 the galls so suitable as might be employed, nor calculated to be 

 of much assistance to the beginner. Several of the foregoing 

 nomenclatures do not possess all the qualifications suited for 

 a lucid and comprehensive description of vegetable galls. 



As the result of an examination of hundreds of galls and 

 a thoughtful study of the various classifications, the author has 

 arrived at the conclusion that a definite, yet simple, accurate, 

 and easily remembered nomenclature is the great desideratum 

 which requires supplying in this branch of natural history. 

 It is therefore proposed that galls shall be classified according 

 to the positions which they occupy on the plant ; and although 

 this arrangement cannot be made to suit every detail, it pos- 

 sesses all the qualities that can be obtained without employing 

 a very elaborate and much divided grouping of the specimens. 



In commending a scheme of classification based upon four 

 primary divisions of the plant for adoption by the collector 

 and student, we are fully alive to the many difficulties sur- 

 rounding the subject, and are conscious that any outline laid 

 down for the purpose is simply a convenience for arranging 

 and grouping specimens, and useful for purposes of study or 

 generalisation : it is, therefore, not to be considered as an 

 absolutely true expression of all the details. 



A perplexity of this kind is well known by all writers upon 

 morphological subjects, and it is realised and allowed for by 

 the student generally. 



The word "plant" is held to include all vegetable growth, 

 from the loftiest and largest tree to the humblest form. 



