BACTERIUM ANTHRACIS 585 



glistening oval spores, one of which lies in nearly every 

 segment of the long thread, and gives to the thread the 

 appearance of a string of shining beads. (Fig. 97.) In 



FIG. 96 



"*S 

 f ~^- 



i *ft 



TV 



a '* 6 



Bacterium anthracis. Plainted and twisted threads seen in fresh-growing 

 cultures. .X about 400 diameters. 



this stage they remain but a short time. The chains of 

 spores, which are held together by the remains of the cells 

 in which they formed, become broken up, and eventually 

 nothing but free oval spores, and here and there the remains 



FIG. 97 



Threads of bacterium anthracis containing spores. X about 1200 diameters. 



of mature bacilli which have undergone degenerative changes, 

 can be found. In this condition the spores, capable of resist- 

 ing deleterious influences, remain and, unless their sur- 



