64 
Indiana University Studies 
The two type localities are probably near together, altho the 
locality of gillettei was not definitely given, but in all such 
cases Bassett appears to have implied Waterbury, Connecticut, 
and the identity of the types of the two show they came 
from the same faunal area. The galls of the two names are 
different, exiguus coming from ament stem swellings (and 
anther cells), and gillettei from leaf petiole and midvein 
swellings, and these differences apparently prevented Bassett 
from seeing the relationship. The two descriptions were pub- 
lished on the same page, but were certainly written at different 
times, as evidence the great differences in the ordering of 
material, the choices of terms, etc. The differences in the 
galls, as for several related species of N euroterus, imply 
nothing more than that the insects are primitive, can produce 
only indefinite proliferations, do not restrict their activities 
to a single part of the host, and consequently are found in 
galls which vary as different tissues are affected. 
This is further apparent from an experience of mine which 
closely matches Bassett’s original experience with this insect. 
He obtained his Netiroterus exiguus types from boxes of galls 
which gave his Plagiotrichus exiguus (described as an Andri- 
cus) . He believed that this latter insect came from tiny, egg- 
shaped capsules in the aments, and at first he explained the 
shortened, thickened, compacted condition of the whole ament 
to the action of the Plagiotrichus. When he found the N eu- 
roterus in the box he cut open both anther capsule galls and 
the anther stem swelling. Concerning the anther capsule 
he states 'T examined the galls very carefully, but found 
but a single species, and from this the Andricus [Plagiotri- 
chus~\ surely came, as I found a specimen in the unopened 
galls.” And later, concerning the stem swelling, he records 
‘h^fter repeated efforts I finally found some of the Neuroteri 
in these galls and the mystery was solved.” Solved, in part! 
I have large series of both insects from similarly combined 
clusters of anther capsules and ament stem swellings. My 
material is from Rosslyn, Virginia, on Q. stellata; I have 
compared both insects with types and cannot find differences, 
altho I am not convinced that Rosslyn, Virginia, and Water- 
bury, Connecticut, are in the same faunal area. At any rate, 
my material is specifically related to if not varietally iden- 
tical with the Bassett types. I cut open anther and stem 
