MAASSEN, 1908. 83 



when the latter species predominated the odor was Hkened to that of 

 sour paste. In samples from two apiaries Maassen failed to fmd 

 Bacillus alvei, but found Streptococcus apis in largo numbei-s. The 

 two cases in which Bacillus alvci was absent were suspected of bein<^ 

 the sour brood referred to by Burri (p. 68). Maassen was inclined to 

 believe that the latter condition is more widespread in Switzerland 

 than in* Germany. In 41 samples of the 51 containing Bacillus alvei, 

 the species was accompanied by Streptococcus apis. The relative 

 number of Bacillus alvei and Streptococcus apis varied. 



The "guntheri-iorms^' mentioned in Burri's paper (p. 69) are veiy 

 probably the species to which the name Streptococcus apis Maassen 

 has been applied. Maassen expresses a similar belief. The following 

 description of Streptococcus apis is an abbreviation of the one by 

 Maassen. 



Occurrence. — ^This species is found in "foul brood," occurring most 

 frequently in that form in which the larvse when attacked are 

 uncapped. 



Morphology. — In form it is not perfect^ spherical but is a lancet- 

 like, pointed coccus that appears as either a Diplococcus or a Strep- 

 tococcus in the body of the larvso as well as in artificial media. A 

 capsule is present. 



Gram's stain. — The organism is not decolorized by gram's method. 



Oxygen requirements. — It grows aerobically as well as anaerobically. 



Bouillon. — The medium becomes at first turbid, and later a deposit 

 forms at the bottom of the tube. Reaction is but little changed. 



Glucose, lactose, saccharose, galactose, levulose, and mannite houil- 

 lons. — Increased growth takes place in these bouillons with the for- 

 mation of acid. 



Agar slant. — A thin iridescent growth takes place. The conden- 

 sation water is clouded with a sediment present. 



Blood serum. — There is a perceptible growth. The colonies are 

 droplike. Xo Uquefaction of the medium takes place. 



Potato. — The organism grows well on this medium. 



Ililk. — Growth takes place rapidl3^ After 24 hours the casein is 

 coagidated and later some of the coagulum peptonizes. 



Gelatin. — After about 40 hours at 20° C. a whitish-gray growth is 

 observed with a begmning liquefaction of the medium. 



Indol. — Indol is not formed. 



Nitrates. — Nitrates remain unchanged. 



Disinfectants. — This species proved ver}^ resistant to dr^^ing. After 

 three-fourths of a year of drying the organism was not dead. 



Burri (p. 70) met with some difficulty in the cultivation of the 

 species to which he referred as the gilntlieri-fornxs. In a few cases, 

 Maassen apparently had some difficulty also with his Streptococcus 

 apis, but in most cases no difficulty was encountered. The difficulty, 



