15 



Rhubarb. The oro-anism grew on the cut surface of rhubarb 

 ■only wheu the petiole was well saturated with water. There was a 

 whitish growth on the surface, and softening, especially of the tissues 

 between the bundles. Long, slimy threads, a foot or more long, were 

 drawn out by touching the affected portion with the platinum needle. 



Onion. On the slices of onion, strongly acid to litmus, there 

 was considerable growth in 24- hours. The tissue was softened and 

 the parts affected were slightly yellow in color. In three days the 

 growth was quite yellow, a few gas bubbles were seen on the surface, the 

 tissues were completely softened and there was a foul, nauseating 

 odor. 



Twelve onions, of three different varieties, were inoculated; but 

 all rotted in the manner above described. 



Morphology. The Ijacillus varies considerably in length. 

 From agar culture grown at 20^'C. for 24 hours the bacilli vary from 

 1-Sfi in length, the average is about 2/<, the width 0.6/^. In old (3 

 month) agar cultures the bacteria are shorter. In gelatine (3 days at 

 20' C.) the average length is 1.4/< width .o/i. In beef bouillon (48 

 hours at 25'^ C.)the average length is 1.2" and the average breadth 

 .7/1. In wort (12.2 Ball.) the bacilli are longer, averaging 4/< long and 

 l/i wide. The longer rods are frequently bent and will stain deeper 

 at the poles than at the middle. 



On rhubarb the bacilli are short and plump and many are ovoid 

 in shape. They are about 1.1'' long O.S/.1 wide. 



In sections of diseased cabbage and cauliflower the bacilli vary 

 greatly in length, averaging about 2// long and O.6/1 wide. 



The ends of the bacillus are always rounded, occasionally bent 

 rods may be seen and short chains may form ; but usually the bacillus 

 occurs singly. 



Flagdla. The bacilli taken from agar cultures 24 hours old are 

 very motile, as are also bacilli from other media, (wort, gelatine, 

 cauliflower). The linear progression is fast and the rotary motion of 

 the cell is quite noticeable, the rear end of the motile rod moving in a 

 lart-er circle than the front. 



The bacillus has peritrichous flagella, seven to thirteen in number^ 

 which stain well by Van Ermegen's method. (See Fig. 11). 



Spores. No spores have been observed. Involution forms are 

 found. Thus the bacteria may be ovoid, or long and bent, occasion- 

 ally club-shaped individuals are seen. 



