314 



PHARMACEUTICAL BACTERIOLOGY 



spore formation. Arthrospores are simply enlarged vegetative cells 

 which as a rule assume the spherical form with thickening of the cell-wall. 

 As a rule the arthrospores also become separated from the vegetative 

 cells. Occasionally two or three vegetative cells in one group may be- 

 come transformed into arthrospores and remain united for a time. Occa- 

 sionally arthrospores take on the gourd form as shown in Fig. 83. 



The ascospores are two-celled, rather slender and tapering pointed 

 The two cells differ materially. The end which is directed toward the 

 middle of the spore sac stains very heavily and has a long slender gelatinous 

 ligule or filament which is motionless. This filament serves to attach the 



FIG. 84. Phases jin the development of the arthrospores of Nematospora (A); 

 B, dying spores as indicated by plasmolysis; C, sphaerocyte formation in the spore. 

 The mature arthrospores always take a bipolar position in the liquid medium, so that 

 the plasmic granules always appear in profile relative to the observer. 



spore to its fellows and to other objects with which the filament may 

 come in contact. Gradually, when the spore begins a new cycle of cell 

 formation by budding, the ligule disappears. There are indications that 

 the chromatin cell of the spore serves as a source of food supply for 

 the achromatin cell which is chiefly concerned in starting a new cycle of 

 cell formation. The chromatin cell of the spore gradually shrinks and 

 the unused portions of the cell-contents disintegrate and dissolve in the 

 surrounding medium. 



The fungus is typically parasitic in habit and dies with the invasion of 

 mold and of rotting bacteria, preceded by very active asco- and arthrospore 

 formation. Spore bearing material injected into a guinea pig was without 

 notable results 



