92 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



proof of this is afforded by the observations already given, in which 

 distinct and broken capsules which contained no bacteria were found, 

 and since the capsule was whole, the organism must have undergone 

 slimy degeneration. The granular condition of the slime was probably 

 the beginning of this slimy degeneration. The spore-like, round bodies 

 in the cells, or just outside of the cells, in varieties of Group I must 

 be considered as droplets of slime formed in the cell body and after- 

 wards excreted. They stained slightly red with gentian violot, were 

 homogeneous, were no more resistant than the cell, were found as often 

 in young as in old cultures and were never seen germinating. 



With acetic and hydrochloric acids, the slime became sedimented 

 in flocculent masses which were not soluble. In larger quantities of 

 the acid, the whole medium quickly lost its viscosity by this sediment- 

 ation. This explained why cultures of the acid-producing varieties 7, 

 8, 9 and 10 might be viscous when young and lose this quality when 

 older. The partial or complete sedimentation was naturally dependent 

 upon the amount of acid formed. The flocculent masses were not 

 slimy, they dissolved slowly in alkaline solutions of potash and ammonia. 

 Small quantities of alkaline solutions added to the slimy medium in- 

 creased the viscosity, but when added in larger quantities it had a diluent 

 effect and the viscosity was lost. Ninety-four per cent alcohol produced 

 a slight sediment, but only affected the slimy condition as a diluent. 

 The slime was easily dissolved in water or other indifferent liquid, when 

 both were well shaken. The viscosity disappeared in proportion to the 

 dilution ; but without shaking the slime dissolved but little, and remained 

 in lumps which floated on or in the medium. Much diluted and soluble 

 masses of slime became viscous again by evaporating the water. Heating 

 for 10 to 20 minutes at 100° C. did not alter the condition of t^ie 

 slime. When dried, the slime formed yellow-brown or grey-yellow crusts 

 which could be pulverized; by the addition of water to this powder, a 

 paste-like or slimy mass was easily obtained. 



