2-979-609 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Gall-nuts upon oak trees in Devon, 1857. 'Much attention has been drawn to the oak-trees in Devonshire during the last three or four years. They have suddenly appeared studded with gall-nuts, in numbers so abundant as nearly to equal the leaves...I am not aware whether this gall-nut is equal in its astringent qualities to the gall-nuts imported [from which ink is made], or whether it might become a useful article of commerce; but in some districts it is so plentiful that almost any amount might be collected at a cheap rate'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.