Galls caused by the larvae, nymphs, and imagines of 

 Eriophyes psilaspis Nal. 



the buds of Taxus buccata Linn. 



PLATE 60. 



Synonymy of Mite. 



Phytoptus psilaspis Nalepa. 



„ taxi Murray. 



Tetranychus taxi Murray. 



Habitat of the Common Yew.— This tree may be found 

 in the graveyards of many rural churches throughout 

 Britain ; also in parks and private grounds, where it is 

 frequently cultivated as hedges. 



Position of the Galls.— The leaf-buds themselves constitute 

 the galls. 



Manner of Growth. — Singly and gregarious ; glabrous ; 

 semi-globular, and pineal in shape. 



Colour. — Dark green, changing to reddish brown or chocolate- 

 brown. 



Average Dimensions of a Mature Specimen (pineal 

 form). 

 Height, lo mm. ; greatest girth, 24 mm. 



May be sought during any month in the year. 



The Growth is complete by the end of May. 



The two small twigs have been introduced in the illustration 

 to show the difference between the immature fruit and the 

 growing galls. These galls are very numerous on some yews, 

 more especially when employed as hedges. The mites are 

 very persistent in the buds, and attack them as soon as they 

 develop from the twig, prevent their normal growth, retard 

 the development of the new wood, and produce dwarfed and 

 stunted bushes. 



The remark anent collecting the buds of Corylus Avellana 

 (p. 126) applies also to these buds. 



The gall is also figured by F. V. Theobald, "S.E. Ag. 

 Coll. Journal," March, 1899. 



The illustration is of specimens gathered at Hastings by 

 the author. 



