SOME FEATURES OF OAK GALL GROWTH. 19 
when disagreeable, the taste is in some instances due 
to the larva within will readily be understood from the 
previous quotation. 
Spathegaster baccarwm on catkins has the least taste 
of any kind. It is soft and very juicy. The larva 
itself 1s but slightly acid in taste. Andricus curvator 
is sappy, but somewhat bitter; A. glandulx, A. soli- 
tarius, Aphilothriz albopunctata, and A. fecundatriz are 
not disagreeable, but they are devoid of a distinctive 
flavour. The rind of A. Sieboldi is slightly sweet, but 
the woody part is unpleasant. 
All the species of the Dryophanta and Neuroterus 
genera are insipid. That is probably due to the fact 
that although rich in starch they are poor in tannin. 
Trigonaspis crustalis is the most unpleasant of any 
kind. It is bitter and very disagreeable, which is 
probably due to tannin and gallic acid. These flavours 
may have a deterrent effect upon the appetites of 
Lepidopterous and Coleopterous larve, since rarely 
are galls seen that have been attacked by them, 
Teras terminalis being an exception. -Birds also may 
be warned off most kinds by the same cause. One 
kind, however, is greedily devoured by ground-birds 
in the North. The galls of Neuroterus lenticularis are 
extensively eaten by game-birds, notably Black-game 
(Tetrao tetriz, L.) In the crop of many of these birds 
large quantities of the galls were found along with 
other food. The crop of one bird contained a number 
estimated at “not less than 500” (‘ Trans. Ento. Soc.,’ 
1907, pt. iv, p. 84). Doubtless pheasants, partridges, 
and other ground-birds thoroughout the country feed 
upon these galls. 
