Kirchner — Bacteriological Examination of River Water. 271 



The tests gave results that were extremely erratic. While 

 in the vast majority of cases there was a great increase in the 

 number of bacteria, in certain instances the increase was 

 either slight or the number of organisms had actually dimin- 

 ished. This was particularly true in those samples that 

 originally contained large numbers of bacteria. 



Experiments were also made to determine the effect of 

 transportation under conditions that were most satisfactory. 

 In order to carry out these tests the samples were plated 

 immediately at the place where they were collected, and were 

 then packed and kept on ice until they were replated on the 

 following day. The comparative results are shown in the 

 following table : — 



