GALLS OF THE OAK. 65 



Besides the oak-apple, many other varieties of Gall (each the 

 produce of a distinct species of Cynips) are found on the same 

 tree. One of these is now common on the leaves. They are 

 either single or in groups ; are about the size of a currant, 

 green, tinged with r^, and serve each as a protecting globe to 

 a single egg, or grub, which occupies a central cavity, surrounded 

 by the j uicy substance of the fruit. These berry -like productions 

 are sometimes seen attached also to the oak catkins, pendant 

 on which they are not unlike a half-plucked bunch of currants, 

 from their resemblance to which they have been named Currant 

 Galls.* Others, widely differing from the above in appearance, 

 but of similar origin, are also very abundant on the oak, near 

 the esSfemity of its branches. These, from their form, and the 

 arrangements of the small leaflets which compose them, have 

 been named after the artichoke, which they most resemble.f 



Not only the most extreme and tender branches, but the 

 rugged bark, the solid wood, the root even of the giant oak, 

 is ready, at the touch of her wand-like piercers, to supply the 

 fairy Gall-fly with those rapid and extraneous growths, which 

 serve to protect her tender offspring. Most of these bark and 

 root-galls have the appearance of brown, woody, irregular ex 1 - 

 crescences; but there are some which form a beautiful and 

 striking contrast with the coarse substances from which they 

 spring. An exceedingly pretty if not uncommon specimen of 

 the latter description we found in July, amongst some oak 



* Vignette. t Vignette. 



