552 BACTERIAL ORIGIN OF GUMS OF ARABIX GROUP. 



Bad. acacice. Another organism — Bact. paraTabiiinm, n.sp. — 

 was isolated from the gummed fruits, etc. Upon solid media and 

 in solutiops containing saccharose, dextrose, levulose, galactose, 

 mannite or glycerine, a slime is formed. By appropriate treat- 

 ment this yields a soluble pararabin gum which upon dehydration 

 becomes insoluble, and this modification is soluble in dilute acid 

 and insoluble in dilute alkali. It is not hydrolysed by dilute 

 acid, but strong acid converts it into arabinose and galactose. 

 The bacterium does not secrete invertase, and in solutions of 

 saccharose it forms gum, ethyl alcohol, carbon dioxide, succinic, 

 lauric, acetic, butyric and formic acids. 



Errata. — On p. 119 of these Proceedings, in third line from 

 bottom, /or 67-08 read 64-68; and on p. 348, inline 5,/or gelatine 

 7'ead galactan. 



