INTRODUCTORY 9 



1. The description should be based on at least six representative isola- 

 tions of the organism. 



2. If variations are found to occur among these strains, a critical study 

 must be made to be sure that they are not the result of contamination. 



3. In naming any characteristic of the species, especially if it is a nega- 

 tive character (e.g., ''nitrates not reduced"), the technic by which it is 

 determined must be stated. 



4. Before giving the results of any test as positive or negative, compari- 

 sons must be made with a control culture known to be positive and one 

 known to be negative. 



5. Before actually assigning a name one should consult a specialist in 

 bacterial taxonomy, both as to the necessity for a new name and as to 

 the validity of the name selected. The Board of Editor-Trustees of 

 Bergey's Manual, for example, are always very glad to offer such 

 advice. 



If these hints were followed by all who are trying to identify species or 

 to publish descriptions of them, much of the confusion in bacterial 

 nomenclature would be eliminated. 



REFERENCES 



Committee on Bacteriological Technic. 1922a. An investigation of American stains. 



J. Bacteriol, 7, 127-248. 



. 19226. Methods of pure culture study. /. Bacteriol., 7, 519-528. 



. 1922c. An investigation of American gentian violets. /. Bacteriol., 7, 



529-536. 

 Committee on Descriptive Chart. 1918. Methods of pure culture study. /. 



Bacteriol, 3, 115-128. 

 . 1919. Methods of pure culture study. Progress report for 1918. /. 



Bacteriol, 4, 107-132. 

 . 1920a. Methods of pure culture study. Revised. /. Bacteriol, 6, 



127-143. 



19206. Progress report for 1919. /. Bacteriol, 5, 315-319. 



Frobisher, M. 1933. Some pitfalls in bacteriology. /. Bacteriol, 26, 565-571. 

 Harding, H. A. 1910. The constancy of certain physiological characters in the 

 classification of bacteria. N.Y. State Agr. Expt. Sta. Tech. Bull 13. 



