460 C. CLIFFOrxD DOBELL. 



processes (fig. 146), into -wliicli the nucleus sometimes 

 entered (fig. 149). In some cases, division of both nucleus 

 and cytophism occurred — the finger-like outgi-owth being- 

 separated oif as a more or less bacterioid cell (fig. 150). At 

 other times, the outgrowths continued to grow in length 

 without cell division taking place. They often attained a 

 considerable length, and underwent branching (fig. 147) — 

 looking like the beginnings of a mycelium. Although I kept 

 the organisms under observation for many weeks, I never 

 found any other stnges in development. Apparently, the 

 conditions under which the organisms were kept were such 

 as to inhibit further growth. 



Now after observing the changes which my original 

 Bacterium-like organisms underwent, 1 came to the con- 

 clusion that I was really dealing with a fungus closely allied 

 to the yeasts. It seetns to me more than probable that the 

 organisms are really fungi, a part only of whose life-cycle has 

 come under my notice. I believe the resemblance of the 

 original bacterioid forms to Bacteria is purely accidental, and 

 the organisms have nothing whatever to do with this group. 



As I have already noted, forms similar to these from Boa 

 constrictor occur in the intestines of a variety of animals. 

 It is therefore necessaiy to be on one's guard when investiga- 

 ting Bacteria derived from such sources. Unless observations 

 be made upon the develo|mient of the living organisms, one 

 may easily be led into error. 



I must point out that the finer details of nuclear division 

 — of both bacterioid and zymoid forms — have not been 

 thoroughly investigated. This is due to the fact that perfect 

 fixation was usually impossible. Division is, I believe, 

 amitotic: and this is certainly true of the form which occurs 

 in the frog — a form upon which I have made a number of 

 careful observations. As these, however, are still incomplete, 

 and indicate that this form is very closely similar to that 

 from the boa, I do not wish to enter into a fuller description 

 at present. 



In conclusion, I would emphasise the fact that the foregoing 



