THE CAUSE OF EUROPEAX FOUL BROOD. 3 



The results were always negative, confirming further similar results 

 that had been previously obtained. 



KECEXT "WORK BV THE WRITER. 



While these facts were in a measure satisfactory, as tending 

 strongly to indicate certain conclusions, there was still wanting 

 that degree of conclusiveness which is alwaj's desired. B}^ experi- 

 mental inoculation and by the study of the brood sick or dead of the 

 disease which was artificially produced, however, considerable in- 

 formation of the character hoped for has been obtained. The 

 details of the technique used in making the inoculation will not be 

 given in this brief report. 



EXPERIMENTAL INOCULATIONS. 



Diseased material from various localities was used for these inocu- 

 lations. Some colonies were fed diseased brood that contained, as 

 revealed by cultural examinations, large quantities of Bacillus alcei; 

 other colonies were fed diseased material containing large numbers 

 of Streptococcus apis as shown by cultures, and still others were 

 fed diseased material which was demonstrated to contain neither 

 BaciJhis alcei nor Streptococcus apis. It was found that at the first 

 appearance of the disease in each class of experiments the symptoms 

 manifested by the sick larva^ were the same. Larva? showing these 

 early symptoms were studied bacteriologicalh\ The examinations 

 showed that Avhether or not the diseased material fed to the bees 

 contained Bacillus alvei or Streptococcus apis these species were 

 in the early stages of the disease either absent, or present in small 

 numbers only. It is quite evident that the disease was not pro- 

 duced by species of bacteria -^hich were absent at this early stage 

 of the disease. 



Continuing the bacteriological study of the larvae in the early 

 stages of the disease, some new species were found to be present. 

 One bacterium especially is frequently encountered. This species 

 is a small, slender rod, apparently nonmotile and nonspore bearing. 

 It IS to be known by the name Bacterium eurydice. Its description 

 will appear in a later publication. Experimental colonies have been 

 fed pure cultures of this species, but no disease has been produced. 

 Tentatively, therefore, this species is not to be regarded as the cause 

 of European foul brood. 



Two other species of bacteria might be mentioned here as being 

 of interest in connection with the study of the brood diseases. The 

 first to be mentioned is a motile, spore-bearing, easily cultivatable 

 rod. It is to receive the name Badlhis orpheus. It also will be de- 

 scribed later. This species is occasionally found in very large num- 



