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, one of the titmice (_Parus cæruleus_); 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 10 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 “Merry England” it may ever be as described by dear old Chaucer:— A pleasant grove * * * * * In which were okes grete, streight as a line, Undir 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 sonnè shene. Some very rede; and some a glad light grene. _The Floure and the Leafe._ CHAPTER XLIII. ON THE CHESTNUT AND WALNUT.