1 oO Decomposition of CeUidose 



unavoidable that there existed a vital and intimate connection between 

 the two forms. Subsequent dilution cultures as well as direct examina- 

 tion under the microscope confirmed tlii.s view, and resulted in observa- 

 tions which are given in detail below. On account of the peculiar 

 developmental cycle through which the organisms appear to pass, as well 

 as on other grounds, we are unable to regard it as a representative of 

 the true Bacteriaceae. In form (especially when grown in liquid media), 

 lack of flagella, and perfect flexibility of cell, it approaches more closely 

 to the Spirochaetoideae and we suggest therefore the name Spirochaeia 

 cijtophaga. While doing so we recognise that the organism under con- 

 sideration exhibits a number of features which have not hitherto been 

 observed in the spirochaetes, features which however appear to indicate 

 a more complex development than that of the true bacteria. 



Morphology of Spirociiaeta cytopiiaga. 



Young cultures of S. cytophaga invariably exhibit the predominance 

 of long thin frequently incurved cells, which consequently do not 

 permit of measurement with any degree of accuracy. In stained pre- 

 parations the mean dimensions of the cells have been found to he in the 

 region of Sju along the major axis, while the mean diameter is from 

 0-3-0-4/x. Under certain cultural conditions extremely long twisted 

 filaments are obtained, the length of which may extend to upwards of 

 40/n. The form assumed by these filaments depends largely on the method 

 of fixing which is adopted; if the smears are allowed to dry at room 

 temperature before being fixed in the flame the majority of the cells will 

 be found to be much curved and to have taken up the shepherd's crook, 

 S and U forms shown in Plate I, fig. 3. If, on the other hand, the film be 

 dried by a short exposure to the flame the filaments are as a rule less 

 bent and are frequently perfectly straight. Cultivation of the organism 

 in liquids in which the cellulose is completely immersed appears to induce 

 the highly undulating sinuous form shown in Plate I, fig. 4. 



In older cultures, a predominant position is occupied by the ovoid 

 or spherical form, the dimensions of which are approximately 1-5^ 

 diameter. Owing to the fact that this form cannot be regarded any longer 

 as an infection form it is considered desirable to abandon the use of 

 the term "coccus," which might conceivably lead to a certain amount of 

 confusion. Our observations show that this spherical form possesses 

 little analogy with the true bacterial spore while, on the other hand, the 

 use of the term "cyst' might imply more than is perhaps warrantable 



