322 T. P. ANDERSON STUART. 



was inoculated with pure cultures from the tube, and in about a 

 fortnight the characteristic colour made its appearance. 



All the specimens of green wool have had a very characteristic 

 odour, reminding one of the smell of woollen garments that have 

 been put away in a wardrobe in a damp state. This smell is 

 present likewise in the cultures, and even in the alcoholic solution 

 of the pigment. 



The pigments are two in number, a blue soluble in chloroform ; 

 a light green or yellow soluble in ether. They are both soluble 

 in benzine and absolute alcohol. When the solution is carefully 

 tested with an aqueous solution of iodine, a green colour is mani- 

 fested at the junction of the two liquids, and with strong nitric 

 acid also a green colour is developed at the interface — this green 

 is intensified on the addition of ammonia. Acids change the 

 colour to red. Both are bleached by light. The pigments are 

 probably of the nature of a " lipochrome." 



As to the effect of the growth of the organism on the quality 

 of the wool, beyond the discolouration which has not been favour- 

 ably viewed by the wool-classer, I have not made out any injury 

 to the staple. The organism grows upon the surface of the strands 

 and possibly in the abundant organic and foreign matter found 

 in all fleeces, as shown by the simple statement that about a half 

 of its weight is lost when wool is scoured. I do not think there- 

 fore, that pastoralists need mind these discolourations. As to a 

 remedy — if one is required — I know of none better than the 

 ordinary mineral poison sheep dips in common use in the Colony, 

 although it is worth noting that while some of the specimens hail 

 from sheep which had not been dipped, others had been dipped 

 with "Cooper's Dip" — an arsenical preparation. 



As to the origin of the organism, there can be little doubt : 

 this bacillus is a aprophyte commonly distributed more or less 

 all over the world. What wonder then if having entered a fleece 

 with the dust and dirt already referred to, and finding there 

 moisture, warmth, food and shelter, it should grow and multiply. 

 It is just what one would expect under the conditions. 



