HARRISON, FEBRUARY 28, 1903. 57 



If Dr. Lambotte's theory that Badllits mesentericus vulgatus and Bacillus alvei are 

 identical is true, -vve should naturally expect to find cases of foul brood arising spon- 

 taneously in countries which never import bees or material from infected localities. 



Tliis assertion could be admitted as evidence if Bacillus alvei were 

 known to have as important an etiological relation to foul brood as 

 Harrison supposed that it had (p. 48). One of the facts which 

 prompted Lambotte's investigation was that the disease seemed to 

 break out independently of any source of infection. If any casual 

 relation docs exist between Bacillus alvei and any form of foul brood, 

 and if his theory concerning the identity of Bacillus alvei and Bacillus 

 mesentericus vulgaris can be established, Lambotte offered a very 

 clever explanation for the existence of the apparently sporadic cases 

 of the disease. 



It is not likely that Lambotte produced foul brood with either 

 Bacillus alvei or Bacillus mesentericus vulgaris. The two species are 

 most hkely different species, but the evidence advanced by Harrison 

 to prove that the two are different is inferior to that which Lambotte 

 produced to estabhsh their identity. Lambotte made his greatest 

 error apparently in faulty observations. 



In the opinion of the writers, both Harrison and Lambotte were 

 probably describing their experiences with American foul brood, and 

 the spores which they saw in such large numbers were those of 

 Bacillus larvse. The growth wliich they obtained was not a growth 

 from these spores, but a growth of Bacillus alvei or a member of the 

 group to which BaciUus mesentericus vulgaris {Bacillus A, p. 76) 

 belongs. Either of these species may be present but occur most 

 always in small numbers. 



Another point of considerable interest might be mentioned here. 

 In a paper by Harrison* presented to the Bee Keepers' Association 

 of the Province of Ontario in November, 1904, the following is found: 



Two years ago I remember there was some talk of black brood, and I think a com- 

 mittee was appointed to send samples to me. WTiether they did not meet with any 

 cases of black brood or no I don't know, but I know I have received no samjiles, * * * . 



This statement tends to confirm the suspicion already expressed 

 that Harrison was working with American foul brood. 



In an address ^ delivered in November, 1905, before the Bee 



Keepers' Association of the Province of Ontario, Harrison announced 



to the association that he was leaving his position as director of the 



association and representative- of the agricultural college. Since that 



time we have not learned of any work on bee diseases published by 



- 



' Harrison, F. C, 1905. Diseases of bee larvae. Annual Report of the Bee Keepers' Association of the 

 Province of Ontario, 1904. Toronto, pp. 27-36. 



2 Harrison, F. C, 1906. Diffusing apicultural knowledge. Annual lieport of the Bee Keepers' Associa- 

 tion of the Province of Ontario, 1905, pp. 8-10. Toronto. 



