9742 Entomological Society. 



supposed) naturally carnivorous, they had whilst in his possession fed principally on 

 the pupEe of other insects which happened to be in the same place of confinement; 

 both larvae and imago were very sluggish in iheir habits. 



Prof. Westwood, on behalf of Mr. Wilson Arraistead, of Virginia House, Leeds, 

 read the following: — 



"Located in the midst of a smolty town and district, chiefly noted for its manu- 

 facturing industry, I am desirous of obtaininir the aid of ray friends who are more 

 favoural)ly circumstanced, in elucidating a somewhat neglected portion of Nature's 

 productions. I allude to those curious excrescences popularly known as Galls. These 

 are caused by tlie punctures of insects, chiefly Cynips, and are found of various 

 forms on the oak, the rose, the willow, the speedwell, and many other trees and plants, 

 sometimes presenting a very dissimilar appearance on the same plant, according to the 

 insect by whose enchanting wand they are, as if by magic, brought forth. It is matter 

 of surprise that these ' little fairy palaces,' as they have been aptly called, so ex- 

 ceedingly varied and beautiful — some round as an apple, tinted like it, red and yellow; 

 others like unripe currants ; some resembling a honeycomb ; some again miniature 

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

 matter of surprise, J say, that these should have attracted apparently so little attention. 

 They are, however, now claiming a greater share of notice. Two or more continental 

 observers have published works specially relating to iheni, one on the Galls of Switzer- 

 land, by M. Berui, and another by Dr. Haniraerschraidt, who has made the subject one 

 of much research, giving drawings of 250 different kinds, and the insects producing 

 them. A good deal bus also been done during the last few years towards elucidating 

 the American Galls. Count Ostcn-Sacken, the Russian Consul-General, has been a 

 chief originator of some researches into them, followed up by Mr. Walsh, of Illinois, 

 who has contributed valuable information respecting them to the Entomological 

 Society of Philadelphia, published in their ' Proceedings.' 



" Having myself been an observer of Galls and similar excrescences for twenty 

 years or more, aud having collected most of the British species, and some American 

 ones during a visit to that country, I am preparing a volume to contain the result of 

 these observations. This work will include drawings and descriptions, with some 

 attempt at classification. A coloured drawing of each will be given where practicable, 

 and a description of every known Gall, as far as my own observation extends, including 

 those described by others, not omitting some similar excrescences known as pseudo- or 

 semi-galls, whose production may be variously accounted for. An artist in London 

 has been engaged to make drawings from specimens for the volume now proposed, and 

 he has 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 have observed or may possess any galls, wherever found, not hitherto known 

 or described, would communicate with me, and furnish any particulars respecting 

 them. 



" I may add that I am in want of specimens to dranr from of the leafy gall 

 occurring on Genista tinctoria, of which I have description, but have not succeeded 

 in meeting with it ; also the cottony or woolly gall of the oak." 



Mr. S. Stevens exhibited a collection of butterflies recently received from Mr. P. 

 Bouchard from Santa Marta; aud read a letter from that gentleman, dated the 30th 



