Jiy l{. GREHi-SMIlH. 35 



irregularly, like the original bacteria used for infecting. Others 

 appeared as short, oval bacteria contained in a long, sometimes 

 lihick, sometimes thin, cylindrical capsule, the who]e resembling 

 a Htreptococcus. Plate-cultivation showed a mixed culture of 

 bacteiia, some producing no slime, and others forming raised, 

 compact colonies of the irregularly staining rods imbedded in a 

 tough slime. Tliese were similar to the infecting bacteria, 

 although the slime was tougher. 



It was evident that the growth upon the sponge had altered 

 the character of the bacillus, to the extent of causing it to pro- 

 duce a more viscous slime. Further examination showed that 

 the growth-characters had also altered. The growths upon 

 media were much more vigorous. It now grew upon glucose 

 and nutrient gelatin as a dull, rough layer, slowly liquefying 

 the ni'idium. In litmus-Lemco-gelatin with various sugars, acid 

 and gas were produced from dextrose,, saccharose, and mannit, 

 while lactose was unaffected. A dry, yellowish layer formed on 

 potato. 



Sriminary. — The sliminess of the household-sponge is caused 

 by slime-forming bacteria, one of which, Rkizohium limosospouf/ice 

 n.sp., has been shown to be an active agent in producing the 

 phenomenon. 



