As is well known, however, many pathogenic germs at times exist in a saprophytic state, and it is not hard to conceive how a microbe may cease such existence and assume parasitic or pathogenic properties when the surroundings are eminently favorable.
"Special Report on Diseases of Cattle"
U.S. Department of Agriculture J.R. Mohler
saprophytic, growing on dead organic matter.
"Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc."
George Francis Atkinson
Parasitic and saprophytic forms may also readily be obtained by breeding, the former as in the case of the parasitic Hymenoptera, and the latter from decaying vegetable matter and fungi.
"Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects"
C. V. Riley