GENERAL SYSTEMATIC BACTERIOLOGY 427 



This genus has been frequently recognized in the literature of syste- 

 matic bacteriology. The following authors among others have used 

 it: Migula (1897, p. 46; 1900, p. 275; 1904, p. 144), Chester (1897, 

 p. 63; 1901, p. 115), Fischer (1897, p. 32), Kendall (1902), A. J. Smith 

 (1902, p. 270), Fischer (1903, p. 60), E. F. Smith (1905, p. 160), Ellis 

 (1909, p. 4), Frost (1911, p. 57). 



Vuillemin (1913, p. 525) has proposed that Planosarcina be recog- 

 nized as a "genus conservandum." 



Meyer (1912, p. 5) uses Planosarcina as a designation for a section 

 of the genus Sarcina with the description "Die begeisselte Spezies." 



If the character of motility is sufficient to differentiate this group, 

 the name is valid, but it is probably to be regarded as a synonym of 

 Sarcina. The type species is Planosarcina agilis (Cohen) Migula. 



Planostreptococcus. A name used by Meyer (1912, p. 4) to desig- 

 nate a section of the genus Streptococcus. The description reads, 

 "Begeisselte Spezies." No species are named. 



Plectridieae. A subfamily of bacteria created by Fischer (1897, 

 p. 33) to include those rod shaped organisms which become drumstick 

 shaped during sporulation. The only genus included is Plectridium. 



Plectridium. A genus of rod-shaped bacteria named by Fischer 

 (1895, p. 147) with the following definition: "Beweglich mit diffusen 

 Geisseln und Endosporen in einem kopfig geschwoUenen Ende der 

 Stabchen (Kopfchenbakterien, Kloppel-, Trommelschlagen- oder Kaul- 

 quappenform), das andere Ende nicht geschwollen." Three species 

 Plectridium paludosum, P. tetani and P. des Rauschbrandes. It is 

 recognized that the organisms are anaerobic. 



Hueppe (1895, p. 38) notes the genus. It is again described by 

 Fischer in (1897, p. 32) and (1903, p. 61). In the latter he notes as 

 species the butyric acid bacilli, the tetanus bacillus, and a decay form, 

 Plectridium putrificum. 



Buchanan (1918, p. 38) emended the genus as follows: 



Cells rod-shaped, straight or at least never spiral, motile by diffuse flagella or 

 non-motile. Endospores produced under favorable conditions, causing an enlarge- 

 ment of one tip of the cell, giving rise to a drumstick appearance. Usually Gram- 

 positive. Anaerobic or microaerophilic. 



The type species is Plectridium tetani (Nicolaier ) Fischer. 



The same type species was later (1922) used by Heller for the genus 

 Nicolaierillus, which becomes a sjmonym. 



