The flagellation of Clostridium difficile was most unusual if not 

 unique for the genus Clostridium. Three strains of this species 

 were studied (McClung 870, 871, 1253) and all three were iden- 

 tical. The wavelength of the flagella is shorter than that of curlv 

 flagella in general and sufficiently distinctive to be diagnostic. 

 Flagella of more normal wavelength were not found in this species 

 (see Table XIV). 



Fig. 55. 1, m, n. Clostridium aerofoetidum, McClung 1148. In addition to 

 indix'iduals with pure normal and pure curly flagella a few individuals were 

 found with straight flagella. This is the only Clostridium species in which 

 straight flagella have been observed. 



o. C. histolxjticum, McClung 1292. Two strains were studied both of which 

 were well flagellated with predominantly normal flagella. A few part normal 

 and part curly flagella were seen but no entirely curly flagella nor curly in- 

 dividuals. 



p. C.pamhotulimtm, McClung 489. Typical normal flagella of this species. 

 Twenty-one strains were studied and only in two was a very rare curly or 

 partly curly flagellum seen. Most strains were well flagellated. 



cj. C. carnis, McClung 1249. Two strains were studied. Both showed good 

 flagellation with flagella predominantly normal with a few curly flagella on 

 some individuals along with the normal types. 



r. C. thermosaccharolyticum, McClung 919-A. The flagellation of this 

 strain was very poor and the organism pictured was the best that could be 

 found. The flagella had normal curvature. 



s. C.sphenoides, McClung 1183. The flagellation of this organism is very 

 similar to that of C. hutyricum. The flagella on the one strain studied were all 

 normal but seemed to be of two kinds. On those individuals with relati\el\ 

 long flagella the wavelength averaged 2.67 microns, and on those with the 

 relatively shorter flagella the wavelength averaged 3.12 microns. The possil^le 

 presence of two variants must be determined by further study. 



t. C. cochlearium, McClung 257. This culture showed practically pure 

 normal flagella. A rare curly flagellum was seen with small amplitude. 



u. C. hutyricum, McClung 629. The flagella are peritrichous and of nor- 

 mal, rather long, wavelength. The flagella tend to be rather short. 



V. C. butylicum, McClung 1670. Normal flagella of somewhat irregular 

 curvature. About 207o of the individuals showed curly flagella and the rest 

 normal flagella. 



134 



