120 The Galls of Essex; a Contribution to a
This paper is by no means exhaustive either in botanical,
zoological, or biological detail; still I think enough has been
referred to, to show the interest accruing to gall study, and
the many intricate problems of the greatest importance still
awaiting a satisfactory solution. Should any members of the
Essex Field Club feel disposed to make observations or
experiments, I shall be pleased to place what little knowledge
I have of the subject at their disposal. Further, I shall be
pleased to name any collected specimens of galls, which are
more easily determined in many cases than the insects them-
selves, which may be sent to me (to Maldon, Essex), and thus,
I hope, make numerous additions not only to our county list,
but to the fauna of Britain itself.
As to the present knowledge of our number of species of
gall-making insects, Essex compares thus with Britain and
with Europe:—
Europe. Britain. Essex.
Cynipidae ............123 53 40
Tenthredinidae....... 12 8 3
Tineina ............ 8 2 1
Cecidomyidae ......176 76 30
Mycetophilidae....... 1 1 1
Trypetidae ......... 11 5 2
Muscidae ............ 5 2 1
Curculionidae ...... 12 8 5
Aphididae ............ 12 8 6
Psyllidae ............ 12 1 0
372 164 89
In the following synopsis of the galls of the county, I have
arranged them under two headings: I. Botanical—in accord-
ance with the names and arrangement in Bentham's 'Hand-
book of the British Flora,' as being the most generally useful
book for the entomological botanist, the minute subdivision
of species adopted in some floras not being necessary in this
case. A short description, and frequently a figure, of each
gall is given under the plant on which it occurs, the name of
the gall-maker following the diagnosis. II. Entomological—
in the ordinary sequence of the families of the insects form-