The Gall Guides

That's gall guides, not the Christian-based adventure scouting for girls outfit.

It seems that just lately my book of choice has been a slim and relatively cheap photographic guide to Britain's Plant Galls. This one ....

I've had this for a fair while, and seem to have dipped into it sporadically over that time. I think it's had more use this autumn than at any time previously. It does not pretend to be anything other than a basic guide to the commonest and most recognisable plant galls that any keen general naturalist might encounter. And I like it all the more for that. I can't recall ever finding anything that was not covered by the guide, but then .... if it's not covered, how would I know about it to look for it?

There is another guide, with a helpfully similar title ....

This is illustrated, rather than photographic, and is around twice the cost. But I imagine it would be another step up, with keys and - perhaps - detail on a wider range of species. I think I'll check this one out, and also see if there is anything else. Galls are fascinating in many respects, so knowing more about more of them can only be a good thing.

I was going to post a link to something by Scouting For Girls as a nice twist. But all their songs are shite.