THE BRITISH OAK 
9 
The galls were gathered in Devon, in ... ... ... 1853 
The same kind in Somerset, in ... ... ... ... 1854 
In Gloucester, on the west side of the river Severn, Forest of 
Dean, in ... 1855 
In Gloucester, east side of the Severn, and as far as Oakley 
Park, Cirencester, in 1856 
In Worcestershire, in ... 1857 
In North Wales, Beddgelert (pointed out to us by John 
Savory, Esq.), in 1859 
In Sussex, very sparingly, in ... 1860 
In Alice Holt Forest, and far from abundant, in ... ... 1861 
About Hastings, very plentifully, in 1862 
We have this season observed a lot of the young galls, but 
last year, for the first time, we discovered that, in many cases, 
the maggot had been extracted by some small bird, probably 
one of the titmice, and, if so, wherever young oaks may be 
growing, it should afford an additional reason for the protection 
of these useful birds. The magnitude of the evil, unless 
checked by some means, may be estimated from the fact that, 
in 1856, we could scarcely find half a dozen galls within a wide 
district, and now all around may be found trees, not more than 
ten feet high, upon which are no less than from one to five 
hundred distinct galls. 
We conclude these remarks upon our native oaks with the 
fervent hope that in “ Merrie England ” it may ever be as 
described by dear old Chaucer : — 
A pleasant grove 
***** 
In which were okes grete, streight as a line, 
Unclir the which the grass so fresh of hew 
Was newly sprong, and an eight fote, or nine, 
Every tree well from his fellow grew, 
With branches brode, laden with levis new, 
That, sprongin out agen, the sonne shene. 
Some very rede ; and some a glad light grene. — 
The Flourc and the Leafc. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES. 
Plate 1 . Quercus Robur pedunculata, nat. size, from Oakley Park, 
Cirencester. 
Fig. a. Petiole or leaf-stalk. 
h. Peduncle or fruit-stalk. 
Plate II. Quercus Robur sessiliflora, from Wyre Forest, near 
Kidderminster. 
Fig. a. Petiole. 
k Peduncle. 
