374 L. D. BUSHNELL 



to a group of factors. The fermentation of both carbohydrates 

 and proteins should be considered, and a certain amount of 

 cultural and morphological variation should be allowed for each 

 group. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANISM USED IN THE PRESENT 



STUDY 



In the study of anaerobic bacteria isolated from spoiled canned 

 asparagus we have found one type which predominated and 

 which could be disting-uished by colony formation in the deep 

 agar column. This organism was a Gram positive, spore-bearing, 

 anaerobic rod; motile, by means of 12 to 15 peritrichic flagella. 

 The size of the majority upon plain agar was 0.80 to 0.90 by 2.50 

 to 3.50 microns. They were somewhat longer and more slender 

 upon glucose media. 



The surface colonies are very thin and transparent at first, 

 but gradually assume a more opaque granular center from which 

 the surface growth extends over the medium for several milli- 

 meters. The edge is quite regular in outline, sUghtly raised from 

 the medium. The colonies later become more irregular with root- 

 like projections extending from the edge of the colony while similar 

 projections extend down into the medium below the colony. 

 These colonies usually show a central nucleus which at first is 

 more opaque than the remainder of the colony. The colonies are 

 transparent but in most cases there is a whitish appearance in 

 older cultures. Under low magnification the surface colonies 

 appear to be finely granular but remain nearly colorless. 



The deep colonies are spherical at first and more opaque than 

 those on the surface. They later develop root-Uke outgrowths 

 or may become quite woolly in some instances, especially if the 

 medium is soft. Older colonies tend to become somewhat less 

 opaque as they increase in size. Some of the colonies are some- 

 what lenticular in outline and have woolly or root-Uke outgrowths 

 from one side only. This appearance is described as "Eii gre- 

 nade" by Weinberg and Seguin (1918). Some of the cultures of 

 this group appear ragged in outline, not having distinct projec- 

 tions but with a very irregular surface. 



