DEAD SEA APPLE. 123 
of those trees which are known to gardeners as fruit- 
bearers, but are found only upon a species of oak, 
which is in fact the same tree that furnishes the ink- 
galls of commerce. At the proper season of the year, 
the oaks, which are of low stature, and more like 
scrubby bushes than the stately trees which are sug- 
gested by the name of oak, are seen to be covered 
with round, fruit-looking objects, beautifully coloured, 
and closely resembling ripe apples. If, however, they 
are cut open, they will be found to be the habitation of 
a species of gall-fly. 
It is evident that if any one were to bite a gall, 
especially one that was produced from the oak, the 
exceedingly astringent properties of the excrescence 
would produce a very rough and ash-like sensation to 
the palate, which would be increased by the dryness of 
its substance. Except in size, they much resemble the 
gall of commerce, and many persons have thought that 
they are produced by the same insect. 
Immediately below the Dead Sea Apple, and in the 
right hand lower corner, may be seen two remarkable 
objects, which would scarcely be recognised as galls except 
by an experienced eye. ‘They are, however, the produc- 
tion of an insect called by entomologists Cynips polycera. 
These galls are found in many parts of Germany, upon 
the oak-tree, and are at once recognised by their re- 
markable form. As may be seen by reference to the 
illustration, they are shaped something like miniature 
sugar-loaves, and stand boldly from the branch with 
their broad end uppermost. The body of the gall is 
slightly conical, so that if cut transversely, it would pre- 
sent a circular section. The end, however, is constructed 
after a peculiar fashion. 
