The Zoologist— May, 1868. 120? 



Monthly Magazine' (p. 233), which saves me the trouble of recapitu- 

 lating its history: I can, however, add my mite to Mr. Kidd's 

 dales of breeding, as in 1867 I bred this gnat as early as the 7th of 

 July, from specimens obtained near Penge. I introduce S. Ulmaria 

 principally to call attention to Spiraea filipendula, "which has also a 

 gall on its leaf, but I have not been able to preserve it, either by drying 

 or in brine. It is rather red and pretty when recent."— W. A. in litt. 

 July 10, 1867. If this gall has not yet been noticed abroad, and if 

 the Cecidomyia, which undoubtedly occasions it, should turn out to 

 be a novelty, I hope whoever describes it will name it " Cecidomyia 

 Armisteadii," in remembrance of one whose heart was in the study of 

 galls for years, and whose exertions in the cause of suffering humanity 

 will not be soon forgotten. 



Sumach (Rhus integerrima, Wall). — " Kakra-Singhee. Curious 

 horn-shaped galls produced on a species of sumach are employed in 

 India as an astringent in medicine, and to a limited extent in dyeing" 

 (' Science Gossip,' December 1, 1865 ; fig.). I believe the « Zoologist' 

 wends its way to India once a month, and if this should meet the eye 

 of any person there who could enlighten people at home about the 

 insect which produces this gall, he would benefit Science by doing 

 so. Galls from all parts, even from Japan, are largely imported to 

 Europe for technical purposes: the little we know about "Kakra- 

 Singhee" is just enough to excite our curiosity, and be it plainly 

 stated we also want to know its value in a commercial and technical 

 point of view. 



Willows (Salix). — My collection contains at the present moment, on 

 different species of British and European willows, Dipterous galls, 

 including willow roses, nine ; Hymenopterous galls, thirteen ; Acari- 

 deous galls, three ; but I would caution any one not to take this- 

 statement as representing the true proportions of the willow gall- 

 makers in Europe, as only three countries have as yet contributed 

 their quota, viz. England, Germany and Switzerland, and even thece 

 three are but inadequately represented. From the numerous, to my 

 knowledge (as far as Great Britain is concerned), undescribed willow- 

 galls, I select for mention in this paper only one, as its occurrence 

 demonstrates a striking case of protective resemblance. The gall 

 I refer to is found on the dwarf willow {Salix herbacea). It is 

 of the shape of a berry, reddish, and Mr. Armistead informed 

 me that he found it abundantly at Allonby, Cumberland, growing 

 among the cranberry plants, bearing fruit at the time : he met with 



