338 



A SLIME BACTERIUxM FROM THE PEACH, ALMOND 

 AND CEDAR. 



{Bacterium persicce, n.sp.). 



By R. Greig Smith, D.Sc, Macleay Bacteriologist to the 



Society. 



During the examination of specimens of peaches affected with 

 gum-flux, there was isolated a bacterium which produced a slime 

 upon the surface of solid media containing saccharose. When 

 recently separated and infected upon saccharose-potato agar, it 

 produced a growth which, upon the -ith day at 22° C, was like a 

 heap of diminutive white sausages, the individuals being clearly 

 seen imbedded in a transparent jelly. After the fourth day the 

 growth became convoluted, then flat as the slime became less 

 viscous; the slime then slowly gra\itated down the sloped agar 

 surface. Growth was most rapid at 37° C, at which temperature 

 the culture had the character of stiff flour-paste. The phenomenal 

 appearance was interesting, but unfortunately for purposes of 

 diagnosis, later cultures failed to produce the curious growth and 

 simply developed as an uncharacteristic white, raised expansion. 



A quantity of the slime was prepared by growing the organism 

 upon plates of saccharose-potato agar, from the surface of which 

 it was readily removed. It had a loose, pasty consistency and 

 formed a white emulsion with water. Upon the addition of 

 alcohol the slime was coacjulated and could be strained throusfh 

 calico and squeezed. After the removal of the saccharose and 

 reducing sugars, an attempt was made to separate the constituents 



