94 <e The Botanical Gazette. 
some time in another connection, I have noted a number @ 
points that seem to have a direct bearing on this question al 
afford a possible explanation for the contradictory evident 
previously at hand. 
The effect of the inoculation of various saprophytic as wé 
as facultative parasitic species of bacteria into the tissuet 
different plants was studied in order to determine first, th 
effect produced on the plant, if any, and second, the reciprod 
effect on the micro-organism. y 
Caulescent plants, ? such as Geranium, were selected and 
these were injected various forms of micro-organisms, ailé 
washing the stem with sterile water to rid it as far as po: 
of the bacteria on its surface. The minute opening im th 
stem caused by the inoculating needle was closed by ste 
vaseline, so as to prevent the entrance of foreign organism 
In this way different species of bacteria were introduced il 
the interior of rapidly growing healthy plants, and after de! 
ing periods of incubation, their effect was ascertained. W® 
certain saprophytic forms such as B. megaterium, 
aérogenes, B. butyricus, etc., as well as those species 
genic for animalslike B. anthracis, B. typhosus, B. diphthe® 
columbarum, no macroscopic change could be detected in™ 
tissue of the host when it was in a healthy growing conditio® 
Of course those forms that are pathogenic for plants, such # 
pear blight, did affect their respective liosts when inocu 
into susceptible plants, but when species not closely relat . 
their normal hosts were used, no macroscopical change © 
be noticed in the condition of the plant. A microscef 
examination of the tissues also failed to reveal any patho 
conditions brought about by the injection of the m 
ganisms. 
y 
cubation and the cortical ring of tissue removed by § 
scalpels, after which quite thin transverse sections of 
maining core of tissue were sectioned, also under aseptic 
cautions. These were then seeded in melted gelatt 
*Fazio: Revista Intern. d’Igiene (1890); Galippe, and others. 
