168 BACTERIOLOGICAL AND ENZYME CHEMISTRY 



has been found to be due to an anaerobic bacillus, which will 

 decompose pectin and calcium pectate, but has no action on 

 cellulose. This fermentation is of great importance in con- 

 nection with the retting of flax and other fibre. In such a 

 process it is necessary to separate the fibres, which are held 

 together by an integument consisting largely of calcium 

 pectate. It is necessary to disintegrate this without injury 

 to the fibre, and the object is best accomplished by a fermen- 

 tation or retting process, which decomposes the integument 

 while leaving the fibre intact. 



