[HARRISON & KENNEDY] DISCOLOURATION OF CODFISH 115 



in Nova Scotia, Grand Manan and Campobello in New Brunswick, 

 and Souris in Prince Edward Island. A large number of samples 

 were also obtained through dealers, the source of which was not noted. 

 In all, thirty or forty samples of fish were received. Some of the 

 samples showed definite signs of decomposition, which occasionally 

 had advanced so far that the red discolouration was not distinguish- 

 able from the rusty brown colour of the partly decomposed flesh. 

 Such samples were not kept for investigation. Of the fish examined 

 the red appeared in varying intensities and amounts, from a sample 

 where the flesh presented a very delicate pink mosaic appearance, to 

 one where the surface of the fish was entirely covered with a dark 

 rose-red growth (roseus, Saccardo) — and even the salt crystals 

 adhering to the fish were pink in colour. In some cases the pink or 

 red discolouration penetrated between the flakes of the flesh. Most 

 of the samples submitted were pieces cut off the fish, but in the major- 

 ity of cases where the whole fish was sent the colour was more pro- 

 nounced along the backbone. In no instance did the colour penetrate 

 the flesh of the fish except where the skin was cut or broken apart, 

 and then did not extend beyond the surface of the fissure. It was 

 very definitely surface growth, which developed equally well on 

 either the white flesh or on the skin of the cod; upon the latter it was 

 particularly noticeable in folds of the skin, where there was a certain 

 amount of moisture, and here the colour was invariably a clear 

 cherry red (Carmine, Ridgway) collecting in drops. On the front of 

 the fish or on parts of the skin, where there was not so much moisture, 

 the colour was more pink than red. The fungus Torula epizoa, 

 described by Hoye, was present on a number of fish, occurring as 

 black spots on the skin, and on the thinner upper parts of the fish. 



2. Direct Microscopical Examination. 



Microscopical examinations were made directly from each sample 

 of fish received, and although various organisms were found the 

 preparations showed more or less similarity. Occasionally small 

 cocci, averaging less than 1 m in diameter, and without exception, 

 rods of varying size, were seen. Frequently the rods were long and 

 slender, measuring from 3 m-7 m in length, and 0.5 /x in width, some 

 slightly bent, while again shorter and thicker rods, about 2 m in length 

 and 1 M in width, appeared, but the average rod measured about 3 m- 

 Practically all of the slides showed the presence of torula-like or 

 amoeba-like forms, and many irregularities in shapes and sizes, such 

 as oval, egg-shaped, pear-shaped, or lemon-shaped, and varying in 

 size from 1 nA n, but averaging about 2 m- Very often they appeared 



