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at first, even in the pure cultures, globular spores, whilst in other 

 isolations the spore-form proved not to be constant. The dimensions 

 of spores and staves are most variable. Motion, if present, is slow, 

 in pure cultures sometimes absent. Glucose, added to the above 

 mixture, gives rise to the production of gas. The colonies cause the 

 culture gelatine more to weaken than to liquefy ; they are sometimes 

 colorless, commonly, however, surrounded with a brownish aureole. 

 The study of this species is difficult on account of the great vari- 

 ability in form and functions, which renders the experiments doubtful 

 and often suggests infection with allied forms, to which their com- 

 mon occurrence gives particular cause. 



While skatolbacteria never fail in putrefying substances, B. septicus 

 may be absent and its place be taken by B. pscudopulcher. This 

 name was chosen on account of its resemblance to a common earth- 

 bactery, related to B. megatherium^ and which I baptised B. pulcher ^). 

 Motion is never observed in psendopmlcher ] the spores are oblong, 

 larger than in B. septicus, frequently to be found in long rows 

 within the threads, generally, however, tiiey occur in short staves. 

 The colonies, which liquefy strongly, have a smooth surface, by 

 which they may be easily distinguished from B. septicus. They are 

 characterised by a heavy sediment, consisting of staves and spores. 

 This sediment is different, or wanting in B. septicus. The pure 

 cultures develop gases but not many stinking products. There is often 

 a distinct smell of cheese to be observed. The study of this bactery 

 is still imperfect and I mention it only because it might be taken 

 for B. septicus. 



For the object I have in view, I studied in particular B. septicus, 

 while I think, that there is not one indication in bacteriological 

 literature which suggests any benificient effect of free oxygen on the 

 functions of this bacillus. For the skatolbacteria on the other hand, 

 such indications exist. It seems at least according to some authors, 

 that certain varieties of the nearly allied and commonly obi iga tons 

 anaerobic tetanus-bacillus, are suscept to change into aerobics, a 

 transformation which I witnessed myself by other varieties isolated 

 from putrefying albumen. Moreover B. septicus is a „bona species", 

 i. e. recognisable for everybody. 



B. septicus is exceedingly mobile and generally consists of staves, 

 covered all over with ciliae. Spores grow easily, especially when 

 there is contact with air. They are more oblong than globular, 



') At present in trade by the name of "üliuit.' 



