During their development they elaborate a toxin, or poisonous substance, which causes the death, or necrosis, of the epithelial, or superficial, layer of the mucous membrane and also of the white blood cells which have sallied forth through the vessel walls to the defense of the tissues against the bacillary attack.
"Special Report on Diseases of Cattle"
U.S. Department of Agriculture J.R. Mohler
Afterwards the contents of these latter cells become divided into numerous bacillary spermatozoids, which first break the wall of their mother cell, and then issue from the antheridium.
"Fungi: Their Nature and Uses"
Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
Some of these little bodies, especially those of the bacillary and bacterial class, are extremely minute, and are best examined with powers ranging from one-tenth to one-twenty-fifth of an inch; and it is impossible to ignore the fact that their study requires not only good instruments, but much patience and skilled attention.
"Addresses & Papers / Collectanea"
Peter Eade