64 The Philippine Journal of Science i«i» 



having shown that Oospora WaHroth is an organism entirely 

 different from those under discussion. 



Sphaerotilus Kuetz. (1883). This name was adopted by Engler 

 for the group including Cladothrix (Sti^eptothrix) foersteri 

 Cohii, with which he included Actinomyces bovis Harz. This 

 disposition was undoubtedly due to the old misapprehension as 

 to the distinction between Cladothrix and Streptothrix. 



Actinobacillus Lignieres and Spitz (1902). This name was ap- 

 plied by Lignieres and Spitz to a supposed subtype of this group. 

 The distinction has not been recognized, and by most authors 

 the name is considered a synonym. 



Carteria Musgrave and Clegg (1908). The adoption of this 

 new name (as "Carterii") was tentatively suggested by Mus- 

 grave and Clegg as possibly advantageous for the purpose of 

 avoiding further controversy, although they did not definitely 

 advocate this highly informal procedure, 



Nocardia Trevisan (1889). This name was adopted by de 

 Toni and Trevisan to cover the entire group. Blanchard used 

 it for a time in its original application and Wright (1894) 

 adopted it for nonpathogenic strains only. As many other 

 authors use it in one sense or another, of late it has gained 

 much prestige. Vuillemin, and Chalmers and Christopherson 

 have recently adopted it for the entire genus. 



The validity of this name we deny on the grounds indicated 

 in the discussion that follows. 



Discomyces Rivolta (1878). This name was definitely sub- 

 stituted by Rivolta for Actinomyces, with the change of name 

 of Bollinger's fungus to Discomyces bovis. It was practically 

 ignored until Blanchard (1900) argued its priority over Nocar- 

 dia. Subsequently Gedoelst, Brumpt, Manson, Stitt, and for 

 a time Castellani and Chalmers, adopted it. 



As indicated in the discussion this name is clearly valid over 

 Actinomyces and all subsequent names. 



DISCUSSION 



Before considering the validity of Discomyces for this group 

 over Nocardia and Actino cladothrix, it is necessary to emphasize 

 the invalidity of two older terms that have gained general 

 recognition. 



Streptothrix Cohn (1875) is invalidated by Streptothrix Corda 

 (1839). It has been argued that there is doubt as to what 

 organism is referred to by Corda's name. This is apparently 

 not the case for in recent years several new species have 

 been described in Corda's genus. • Streptothrix Corda is unques- 



