FERMENTATIOK BACTEEIOLOGY. 449 



cineren, a typical spore-bearing form, an intermediate or transitory form, and one that 

 is wholly sterile. These different forms, the authors maintain, are due to the nature 

 of the medium in which the fungus is grown. 



Tlie poisonous mushrooms of France and Europe, U. (iuos-iKAX {Lcs clicun- 

 pig)iu7ix vcnhienx df France et d' Europe. Samt-Hikdre, Roulans {Doubs): Author, 1903, 

 pp. 4S, ph. S, Jig.i. -2, chart 1). — A manual for schools as well as for private use, in 

 which directions are given for the recognition of the poisonous or suspected species 

 of mushrooms. 



Synoptical tables of edible and poisonous mushrooms, C. Manoet ( Tahlean.v 

 sijnoptiqiies des champ'ujnuiis comestihlcs et vencneu.r. Paris: J. B. BaiUicre A Son, 1903, 

 pp. 128, ph. 6, figs. 23). — Synoptical tables are given for the determination and recog- 

 nition of a large number of edible and poisonous mushrooms. Notes on their food 

 value and suggestions for counteracting the poisonous effects when eaten are also 

 given. 



FERMENTATION— BACTERIOLOGY. 



The classification and identification of bacteria, 8. De M. Gage and E. B. 

 Phelps {Reprint from Proc. Aincr. Pid,. Ih(dih Assoc., 1902, pp. 12-23). — An outline is 

 given of a scheme for the classification and identification of bacteria, with special 

 reference to a description of the card catalogue system in use at the Lawrence Experi- 

 ment Station for the records of species. These cards, which are specially jjrepared, 

 are arranged to show all the necessary data for the classification and identification of 

 species of bacteria and may be arranged by any system of grouping that is desired. 



Experiments -with nitrogen-assimilating' bacteria, M. Gerlach and I. Vogel 

 {Centfd. Bdkt. u. Par., 2. AJ>t., 10 {1903), Xo. 20-21, 7)p. 636-643).— In previous pub- 

 lications the authors have shown the necessity of grape sugar in nutrient solutions 

 for the best growth of bacteria of the Azotobacter group (E. S. R., 14, p. 10-18). 

 Continuing their investigations on this group of nitrogen-assimilating bacteria, the 

 necessity for other materials in the culture media was studied. The organisms 

 were shown in flasks containing the same quantity of a nutrient medium to which 

 was added various forms of potash, soda, and lime, and the growth and nitrogen 

 assimilation noted. 



In those flasks which contained neither lime, phosphoric acid, nor potash there 

 was no growth of bacteria nor gain of nitrogen. In flasks to which neither potash 

 nor soda was added, but the other compounds were supplied, it was found that 

 limited growth and nitrogen assimilation could take place. The effect of age on 

 the organisms was studied and cultures from 18 to 328 days old were compared, the 

 greatest gains in nitrogen l)eing shown for the younger cultures. As reported in the 

 previous paper, increasing the content of grape sugar increased the amount of 

 nitrogen added l)y the organisms to the solution. 



The presence of a niimber of yeasts and molds in the cultures was investigated, 

 indicati'ig that some of these organisms were apparently able to independently add 

 small quantities of free nitrogen to their solutions. When grown in connection with 

 Azotobacter the efficiency of the latter organisms to assimilate free atmospheric 

 nitrogen seemed to be diminished. 



Assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by bacteria, E. de Freudenreich 

 {Ann. Atjr. Suisse, 4 {1903), Xo. 4, pp. 201-214; aho In Centbl. Bakt. u. Par., 2. Abt, 

 10 {1903), No. 16-17, J)P- 514-522). — The results of the studies of Azotobacter chroo- 

 coccinn are given, in which the author demonstrates the ability of this micro- 

 organism to assimilate free atmospheric nitrogen when grown either in liquid cultures 

 or upon gypsum culture plates. Flasks containing liquid culture media inoculated 

 with the bacteria added about 3.5 rag. of nitrogen in 9 weeks. When grown on 

 gypsum the amount of nitrogen added was considerably in excess of that assimilated 

 in the licpiid media. The in vestigation shows that soils rich in bacteria are uniloubtedly 

 able to assimilate and fix free atmospheric nitrogen. 



