
* topes 
The old bacteriological doctrine of fixity of form in bacteria is 
gradually giving way before constantly increasing evidence that bacteria 
are capable of morphological, cultural, and biological transformation. 
An exemple of pleomorphism is found in Bacillus alvei, an organism con- 
stantly encountered in European foulbrood of bees, of which the etiology 
is an unsettled problem. It is commonly supposed that this disease is 
caused by an unculturable species, "Bacillus pluton," and that Bacillus 
alvei, "Bacterium eurydice," and "Streptococcus apis" are distinct species 
commonly associated with the disease as secondary invaders. Investiga- 
tions concucted during the past 4 years indicate that the bacterial foms 
commonly associated with European foulbrood, which have been considered 
distinct bacterial species, may be only variants or mutants of Bacillus 
alvei. C. HE, Burnside of this office has devised cultural methods by 
which sporogenic cultures of Bacillus alvei can be transformed into as- 
porogenic cultures.-. When cultured on the same nutrient media on which 
Bacillus alvei ordinarily sporulates promptly the transformed cultures 
formed no spores at all. 
A new film strip entitled "Dingnosis of Bee Diseases in the Apiary," 
accompenied by appropriate lecture notes, has just been made available by 
the Extension Service. The film strip contains 5& illustrations show- 
ing the symptoms of the various bee diseases, and is designed to help in 
making correct diagnosis of bee diseases in the apiary. 
Bilo Lisboa, Director of the Escola Superior De Agricultura e Veter-— 
inaria, Vicosa, State of Minas Gerses, Brazil, accompanied by A. S. Muel-— 
ler, a member of his staff, formerly of Cornell University, recently 
Visited the Somerset laboratory. The gentlemen are making an extensive 
tour of the United States, visiting a number of the colleges and aperi~ 
ment stations. They plan to obtain a lerge quantity of seed and propa — 
gating stock to take back to Brazil. Through arrangements made with the 
laboratory they will include a shipment of 24 Italian queens. 
. 3. Marvin, Somerset, Md., has obtained some interesting results 
relating to the weight per gallon of honey. As a matter of convenience, 
honey was divided according to the weight per gallon into four classes 
as follows: (1) Those weighing above 11.88 pounds per gallon; (2) those 
weighing from 11.80 to 11.88 pounds per gallon; (3) those weighing from 
11.75 to 11.80 pounds per gallon; and (4) those weighing less than 11.75 
pounds per gallon. Out of 4O samples, 32 1/2 percent fell in each of the 
first two classes and 1/ 1/2 percent fell in each of the last two classes, 
the last class weighing less than the minimum U. 5S. Grado requirements. 
The honeys used in these tests came from widely scattered points and re- 
presented quite a range of floral types. With the rather limited number 
of samples worked on in these tests, it was not possible to come to any 
conclusions relative to the relatiouship between floral source and weight 
per gallon. 
G 
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