744 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



were cultivated in nutrient media as pure cultures, pasteurized cultures, and mixed 

 cultures, and the power of nitrogen assimilation shown. The amount of nitrogen 

 added l:)y the organisms to the media varied considerably, especially with the mixed 

 cultures, the limits lieing from 0.73 to 6.93 mg. per gram of glucose or mannite in the 

 solution. In the pasteurized cultures the range of variation was from 0.17 to 4.93 mg., 

 while in the pure cultures or combinations of known species the range was from to 

 5.91 mg. per gram of glucose or mannite. The possibility of symbiosis between 

 forms of Chroococcus and other organisms was not i)roved. 



Observations on the conditions of light production in luminous bacteria, 

 R. E. l\. McKenney {Pruc. Biol. 8oc. Washington, 15 {1902), i^p. 213-234, fig. i).— A 

 study is reported of a num))er of so-called phosphorescent bacteria in which the 

 author investigated their culture and the effect of various agents upon their lumines- 

 cence. It was found that all acids, as well as an excess of alkali, were injurious to 

 light production. The temperature limits for light emission are within those neces- 

 sary for growth. Exposures to teniiieratures above the growth maximum were 

 highly injurious to the power of light production, while exposure to low temper- 

 atures seemed to serve as a stimulus to light production. There was no lumines- 

 cence at or below 0° C. A certain degree of continued illumination was found 

 without effect, and it is jtossible for the bacteria to pass their entire lives in the dark 

 and yet emit a brilliant light. Ether acts as a narcotic, preventing luminescence but 

 not growth. Peptone or a related protein was found requisite for the nutrition of 

 luminous bacteria, and either sodium or magnesium is required for growth and espe- 

 cially for light production. Potassium, ammonium, calcium, etc., can not replace 

 sodium or magnesium. The author l;)elieves that luminescence is connected with 

 metabolism, and since its appearance is closely followed by the presence of the cul- 

 ture liquid of the products of protein decomposition it is believed to be a phase of 

 destructive metabolism. 



The strawberry bacillus, W. Eichholz {Cmtbl. Bakt. u. Par., 2. Abt., :> {1902), 

 No. 11-12, pp. 425-428, figs. 2). — A description is given of the growth and morpho- 

 logical characters of the so-called strawberry bacillus on a number of different cul- 

 ture media. 



A review of existing methods for cultivating anaerobic bacteria, O. F. 

 HuNziKER [Reprint from Jour. Appl. Micros, and Lab. Methods, Vol. 5, Nos. 3, pp. 1694- 

 1697; 4, pp. 1741-1758; 5, pp. 1800-1814; 6, pp. .r<§54--?<?56).— The author presents an 

 elaborate discussion of the literature of this subject in connection with an extensive 

 bibliography. The methods for producing anaerobic conditions which are discussed 

 in the article include the formation of a vacuum, rei)lacement of air by inert gases, 

 absorption of oxygen, reduction of oxygen, exclusion of atmospheric oxygen by 

 means of various physical and mechanical devices, and the combined application of 

 2 or more of these methods. Special attention is given to methods of cultivating the 

 bacilli of tetanus and anthrax. 



Investigations on the physiology and morphology of alcoholic ferments, 

 E. ('. Hansen {Compt. Perid. Trarav.r Jxd). < 'arlshei-f/, 5 [1902), No. 2, pp. 64-67, figs. 

 2). — An account is given of tlie sjuu'e formation of certain species of Saccharomyces. 



Comparative investigations on the condition of grow^th and reproduction 

 of yeasts, etc., E. C. Hansen {Compt. Bend. Trarau.v Lab. Carlsberg,5 {1902), No. 

 2, pp, 68-107, figs. 4)- — The author has investigated the conditions for the vegetative 

 growth and development of the organs of reproduction in yeasts and other alcoholic 

 ferments. Recent investigations regarding budding, spore formation, and the rela- 

 tion between budding and spore formation, are given, and the effect of temperature 

 on these factors is shown. As a rule the maxinunn temperature for the vegetative 

 growth of Saccharomycetes was found to be higher than that for the formation of 

 spores. 



