434 BACTERIA OF THE SPUTA 



the first type. On the other hand, the fertilising elements would 

 be constituted by the spindle-like, comma, or serpentine bacilli, 

 already formed in the described organs, and finally set free, through 

 the disarticulation of the tufts already mentioned. 



VI. — Conjugated Fructification — i.e.^ that with clavated stem, a 

 dual zone of colourisation, clusters, or more conspicuous ears, 

 more bulky and compact spores, destined, perhaps^ to cross unin- 

 jured the alimentary canal, and to remain alive in the faeces, with- 

 standing the dissolving action of the gastro-intestinal juices. 



Nature, as we see^ has been prodigal to this parasite, by its 

 various manners of multiplication, adapting each of them to this 

 or that condition of the nutrient substratum, in order to preserve 

 and multiply its species, in the midst of numberless and very 

 varied difficulties. As soon as a higher phase is precluded, or a 

 nobler element is thrown back, by external injuries, to an inferior 

 degree, it does not stop from disseminating everywhere particles 

 apt to germinate and spread extensively the species when it cannot 

 do it intensively. We are reminded that Nature has even wished 

 to endow this tiny plant with such a tenacious life, that its elements 

 on the human teeth cannot be destroyed for centuries, as exhibited 

 by the tartar on the teeth of Egyptian mummies {vide the preced- 

 ing Memoir). 



If here ends, at least provisionally, the Morphological Series of 

 our parasite, it only remains to us to say two words on the Biolo- 

 gical Series in the modern sense, or, rather, on the pathological 

 phenomena, assigned to some of its forms, or to specific bacteria 

 similar to the latter. 



Biological Series. — Under this title we comprise but three 

 forms : the Pjieumococcus^ the Bacillus of Koch, and the Gonococcus 

 of Neisser, already demonstrated, according to our views, in the 

 two previous Memoirs. 



I. — Pneiwiococcus. Few now hold that the pneumococcus is a 

 specific bacterium, arising externally. It is generally considered 

 to be either an habitual germ of the mouth (Micrococcus of salivary 

 septicemia), or, in common with Pommay, a saprophytic bacterium 

 evolving itself in the sense of virulence. Perhaps it will in time 

 be known as a simple dissemination of the zooglceic phase of our 

 parasite, following on the formation of the pulmonitic exudation, 



