42 BRITISH OAK GALLS. 
sufficiently grown to be of advantage and therefore 
it is well to allow them to remain in situ. In order to 
find them again on the next visit to the spot the twig 
should have a piece of string tied on it leaving the 
long ends loose. Make a note of any feature that will 
facilitate identification of tree or bush. Brown 
coloured string will not be readily noticed by anyone 
passing the spot, but the collector will soon find it 
again. The author has watched the growth and after- 
wards obtained many fine specimens in that way. 
Great care has been taken in the selection and 
arrangement of the specimens illustrated in the follow- 
ing plates, and also in the descriptions of the species, 
to assist the collector in discovering them. It is not, 
therefore, here necessary to describe the usual part of 
tree or bush most likely to yield specimens. 
Leisure and patience are needful and a thorough exa- 
mination of twigs, leaf-axils, and leaves should be-made. 
When searching for oak galls the peculiarities of 
the alternation of the generations should not be for- 
gotten, and therefore districts should be sought, and 
frequently visited, where the woods contain plenty of 
oak saplings of from three to eight years’ growth, with 
a number of large trees there as well, or near by. 
Very damp woods do not usually yield many kinds. 
The reason why is as yet unknown. 
Diligent and careful search amongst oak scrub is 
generally rewarded with many specimens. Not onl 
should the outer twigs and leaves of a bush be 
thoroughly scrutinised, but examination made of the 
interior and the small shoots at the base. 
The stunted growth on road-side banks, especially 
the banks of old or little-used lanes, should always 
receive attention, and hedges around fields amply 
repay careful search. 
A windy day is not recommended as a suitable 
occasion on which to search. The continual move- 
ment of the foliage makes detection very difficult and 
wearies the eyes. 
