IDENTITY OF AMERICAN AND FRENCH SPOROTRICHOSIS 119 
have for some time made a study of chromogensis”’ in these 
cultures and have now some pure white strains which sprang 
from deeply pigmented cultures. Indeed, from the culture 
I received from Gougerot of Paris, a white colony appeared 
which has remained pure white and smooth, and though tested 
on numerous media of the most favorable sort (carrot, potato, 
Sabouraud medium), remains pure white. Passage through 
a rat for six weeks did not alter it. It has now passed through 
twenty-four generations without change. The black colonies 
continue to produce pigment as usual. Similar alterations 
have been observed in other strains. Distinct and similar 
changes have been noted in the Schenck-Hektoen strain but 
they are less marked. It is interesting to note Gougerot’s 
statement”? in this connection: ‘‘Par exception nous avons 
eu des pléomorphismes blanes qui sont trestis irreductibles ; 
ils étaient associés & des pléomorphismes de surface et ces 
pléomorphismes complexes donnaient un Sporotrichum Beur- 
manni, identique d’aspect au Sporotrichum Schenckii.’’ 
A second pleomorphism relates to form of growth, smooth- 
ness, wrinkling, ete. Colonies tend to lose their irregular 
and corrugated surface and become smooth and leathery in 
appearance. This is a common change in strains of sporo- 
tricha which can be brought about, at least to some extent, in 
all strains by suitable culture, especially on ill adapted media. 
A third is the tendency to form on the surface growth hair- 
like processes or finely pointed spines. This is seen quite 
commonly and is a striking feature of many cultures of the 
original Schenck-Hektoen strain. 
A fourth pleomorphic change is the appearance of a 
powdery growth covering part or all of the media. The color 
13 variable and may range from black through brown to pure 
white. This alteration is largely dependent on surface de- 
posits of spores. 
" It is to be emphasized that these pleomorphic changes above 
noted are common. In some strains they are far more fre- 
quent than in others, but probably occur in all strains at 
2 Davis, J. Tif. Diss 11, pe 174, 1915. 
2 Les Sporotrichoses, Paris, p. 91, 1912. 
