Preface to First Edition 



THIS book does not attempt to review the literature upon bacterial 

 cytology, of which the bulk is very great and the value, in many cases, 

 difficult to assess. The bibhography is confined to a relatively small 

 number of works, almost all recent. No attempt has been made to supply 

 references for analytical discussion or general information. 



The purpose is rather to present a reasoned case for regarding bacteria as 

 living cells with the same structure and functions as other living cells, and to 

 correlate the available information upon the various types of bacteria. 



Bacteria, as living creatures, have been little studied. It is their activities 

 as biochemical or pathological agents which have received almost undivided 

 attention. Even these problems, however, cannot fail to be clarified by a 

 better knowledge o{ the organisms responsible. 



It is also hoped that biological workers in other fields may profit by contact 

 with this, largely unknown, body of evidence, and may find the comparisons 

 and analogies useful and stimulating in their related studies. 



I have attempted, as far as possible, to base my arguments upon my own 

 observations, or upon such information as I have been able personally to 

 confirm. Where I have not had die opportunity to do so, I have tried to 

 indicate clearly the status of the argument. 



K. A. B. 



December 1949 



