The capsule stains mauve with polychrome methylene blue in the MacFadyean's reaction. This can be used to identify anthrax in blood samples. Bacilli appear as chains of dark blue, square-ended rods surounded with the capsule. | The capsule stains mauve with polychrome methylene blue in the MacFadyean's reaction. This can be used to identify anthrax in blood samples. Bacilli appear as chains of dark blue, square-ended rods surounded with the capsule. |