VI 
BRITISH GALLS 
definitely limited. It is, in fact, one of the chief charms 
of the study of galls that it brings us face to face with 
life processes in general, and with the very varied modes 
of activity manifested by living material under different 
conditions. They are an epitome of biological facts. 
Some of these are very simple and others complex, but 
in no department of our subject are we allowed to 
forget that we have to deal with the activities of life. 
The breadth of the subject is, indeed, to most minds 
one of its chief attractions. 
The student of entomology having identified the 
varied forms of fly, moth, and beetle, each in their varied 
stages, which concern themselves in gall production, 
finds himself at once obliged to recognize also the differ¬ 
ent proclivities of growth tendencies, not only of different 
plants, but of different parts of the same plant, and 
becomes a student of botany in its several departments. 
There is, however, no limitation in our topics, for having 
obtained a good insight into both botany and entomology, 
the observer will soon become convinced that, in addi¬ 
tion to them, he is obliged to study and recognize the 
ever-varying influence of seasons and weather. We may 
anticipate for the study of galls that it will soon become 
one of the most attractive and fascinating branches of 
natural history. It lends itself to the collector with 
especial attractiveness, for many kinds of galls are very 
easily preserved, and a series should form part of the 
possessions of every student. It is at once easy and 
difficult; easy as regards its principles, but full of detail 
as regards their application. 
In the formation of a “ spangle ” on an Oak leaf, a 
