304 BACTERIA IN THE SPUTA 



described ears. Taking only the specimens obtained fronri the 

 patina dentaria, some doubts might remain, as in it the ears are, 

 generally, embedded in the granulous lumps and the entangle- 

 ments of threads, in consequence of the pressure of the lips or 

 tongue ; and we might suppose that they are the mechanical result 

 of that trampling or superposition of minute cocci around the 

 branching filaments, so as to become incrusted with them. But 

 (apart from the consideration that the incrustation cannot explain 

 the perfect similarity of the sporules, nor their constant disposi- 

 tion in six longitudinal lines) the specimen of Fig. i6 dispels any 

 suspicion whatever, as it is there manifestly the sign of a gen- 

 uine and proper germination ; nor, on the other hand, can there 

 be found a particle of resting place on which the stems might 

 have become incrusted. 



In support of this view there is the fact that the ears acquire, 

 by colouring with aniline, such a solidity that they can hardly be 

 dissevered. The above-mentioned specimen, which, through the 

 accidental crushing of the preparation by a wrong turn of the fine 

 adjustment, was hard-pressed down, exhibits a proof of it. The 

 ear drawn in g was abruptly removed towards / and made into a 

 spire, but no spores were dropped by the shock, and the ear has 

 since gradually resumed its former place. Now this fact could 

 not be explained on the hypothesis of a simple mechanical 

 incrustation. 



This preparation has been kept in glycerine, which was after- 

 wards substituted for the aqueous medium. The tint, especially of 

 the pneumococci without halo, is very much faded, owing to the 

 diffusion caused by glycerine. The ears^ after two months of 

 saturation, exhibited a partial decolourisation and withered spores, 

 although the stalks maintained a brilliant colour. The viscid 

 matter has become paler and more transparent, so that the stalks 

 can be detected fully in their whole length ; and inside can be 

 seen not only the gemmules, but traces of small knobs, shown in 

 a. By turning the micrometer screw I could even see, although 

 interruptedly, a few sporules belonging to the posterior series or 

 those lying on the slide. 



In conclusion, having thoroughly investigated this preparation, 

 it seems to be absolutely impossible to dispute the fructification of 



