öö Sitzung ?ora 7. August 1831 



bare beeil aptly called, so exceedingly varied and beautiful— aome round 

 as au apple, tinted like it, red and yellow, others like unripe currants; 

 some rcserubling a honeycomb; some again miniature artichokes; some 

 velvet cushions; some coral beads; and others, tufts of moss—it is matter 

 of surprise I say that these should have attracted apparently so little 

 attention. They are, however, now claiming a greater sbare of notice. 

 Several Continental observers have published particulars relating to 

 them, and have given drawings or descriptions of many kinds, and the 

 iusects producing them. 



A good deal has also been done during the last few years towards 

 elucidnting the American Galls. Baron R. Osten-Sacken, the Russian 

 Legation in Washington, has been a chief originator of some researches 

 into them, followed up by Mr. Walsh, of Illinois, who has contributed 

 valnable Information respecting them to the Entoraological Society of 

 Philadelphia, published in their Proceedings. 



Haviug myself been an observer of Galls and similar excrescences 

 for 20 years or more, and having collected most of the British species, 

 and some American ones, during a visit to that country, I am preparing 

 a voliime to contaiu the result of these observations. This work will 

 include drawings and descriptions, with some attempt at Classification. 

 Coloured drawings of many will be given, and a'description of every 

 known Gall as far as niy own Observation extends, including those 

 described by others, not omitting some similar excrescences known as 

 Pseudo or Semi-Galls, whose production may be variously accouuted for. 



Eminent Artists have been engaged to make drawings from spe- 

 cimens for the volume now proposed, who have already produced some 

 beautiful and faithful delineations. 



Being desirous of making the work as complete as possible, I shall 

 esteem it a favour if any naturalist who may bave observed or may 

 possess any Galls, wherever found, not hitherto known or described, 

 would communicate with me, and furnish any specimens, drawings, or 

 particulars respecting them. 



With the exception of those used in commerce, I have obtained 

 rery few Galls from Asia or Africa, and we know literally nothing of 

 those produced in the West Indies, South America, or Australia— from 

 the three lastnamed portions of the world I have not, as yet, received 

 a sing'le specimen. 



Virginia House^ Leeds, Wilson Armistead. 



Mih Month, 12*A, 1866. 



For the convenience of refereuce, 1 have placed my Gall collection 

 in the Museum of the Leeds Literary and Philosophical Society, where 

 it may be seen at any time, in the large room. 



