532 



SYSTEMATIC HISTOKY OF THE TNFrSOETA. 



Genus BACTERIUM. — Yibrionia distinguished by the corpuscles being 

 connected together in a thread-like more or less rigid or inflexible chain, and 

 by multiplying by transverse self-division at right angles to the chain. 



The three species kno^Ti are colourless, and extremely minute. Ehi^enberg 

 remarks " that only one of the species has been satisfactorily determined, 

 and that their organic relations are altogether so obscure, that our judgment 

 respecting them must unavoidably be left in a fluctuating state." In B, 

 trUoculare a vibratorj" proboscis, a granular mass within the body of the crea- 

 ture, and spontaneous division are discoverable. All the species enjoy an 

 active power of locomotion. Perty says that he is unacquainted with the 

 species of Bacterium enumerated by Ehi'cnberg. 



A magnifying power below 500 diameters will not exhibit the divisions 

 or transverse lines between the individuals or links of the wand or chain. 

 Bacterium occui^s around decomposed vegetable matter, on the surface of water 

 containing Chara, &c. 



Bacterium triloculare. — Chain in 

 the form of short cylinders of fi'om two 

 to five oval corpuscles, and generally 

 about three times as long as their dia- 

 meter ; transverse junction-lines distinct. 

 Ehrenberg has observed not more than 

 five links together, nor less than two. 

 <'By throwing," he adds, " a little colom-- 

 ing* matter into the water, an evident 

 vibration may be perceived near the an- 

 terior portion of the corpuscle or of the 

 chain ; and upon a veiy close inspection 

 a simple fihform, though short, proboscis 

 mav be seen, which, in the larger speci 



mens, is one-third the length of the body, 

 and in the smaller, one-half." The motion 

 of this creature is tremulous, or slowly 

 revolving upon its longitudinal axis. 

 In the water of bogs. Length of chain 

 1-4800" to 1-2304"; single coi-puscle 



Genus VIBRIO. — Characterized by the corpuscles being connected together, 

 through incomplete self-division, in filiform flexible chains resembling in 

 miniatui-e the figm^e and movements of a snake. Junction-lines at right 

 angles to chain. 



1-11520" (xviu. 57). Group 57 repre- 

 sents several of them ; t^'o towards the 

 right are magnified 1000, the others 290 

 diameters. 



B. Enchelys. — Chain composed of 

 somewhat indistinct, colomless, oval 

 coi-puscles united in smaller cylinders 

 than the preceding ; ti'ansverse lines 

 faintlv marked. In river water. Length 

 of chain 1-2880". 



B. Pimctum. — Chain cylindrical, com- 

 posed of indistinct, colourless, globose 

 coi*puscles ; much smaller than the pre- 

 ceding species ; transverse lines faintly 

 marked. In water wherein bread has 

 been steeped. Length of chain 1-4032". 



B. Catenula (D.). — Filifomi, cylindri- 

 cal. Length of individuals 1-8600" to 

 1-6500" ; 3, 4, or 5 are united together, 

 formino- a chain 1-1300" in lenoth. 



Vibrio Lineola (Bacterium Termo, 

 Dnj.) (xvin. 69). — Forms a minute 

 cvlindrical and slightly flexible wand, 

 rounded at both ends; separate cor- 

 puscles somewhat indistinct, of nearly 

 globular form, and colourless. Common 



greeable odorn*. Length of wand 1-3600". 

 V. suhtilis. — Wand slender and elon- 

 gated ; colourless : articulations distinct ; 

 motion slightly vibrating, vrithout vary- 

 ing the direct position of the articula- 

 tions. Lenoth 1-450"; thiclmess 1-24000". 



in veo-etable infusions, especially around Perty says this species is only a variety 

 the stalks of floAvers in glasses, and in ; of _F. (3ietnllacfer) Bacillus. 

 foul ponds. Length of wand, from 



1-3600" to 1-200". Thickness 1-3600". 

 Both Cohn and Perty join in the use of 

 Dujardin's name for this species, and in 

 representing Ehrenberg as in error in 

 identifsing and fixing its characters (see 

 genus Zooglcea). 



V. tretnulans.— Wand short; stouter, 

 yet more flexible, than the preceding; 

 articulations of an oblong form, not 

 distinct. In water emitting a disa- 



V. Bugula {Vibrio Rugula, M.) (x^^II. 

 64). — Wand elongated ;' stouter than the 

 precedmg; articulations distinct; and 

 colourless ; motion brisk and serpentine ; 

 common in infusions and foul water. 

 Length 1-580" ; thickness 1-12000". 



Y.prolifer, — Wand short, stout, and 

 colourless'; articulations distinct. Mo- 

 tion slow and tortuous. In infusions 

 where mildew is present. 1-1100". 



V. Bacillus (M.) = 3Ietallaeter Bacillus 



