236 THE MICROSCOPICAL NEWS. 
years standing. It is one of the quickest swimmers among the 
Rotifera. It swims quickly round in circles of varying dimensions, 
and then varies its movements by turning head over heels. It is a 
regular little fidget, and it was only after a considerable amount of 
manceuvering that I was able to get it sufficiently quiet to take its 
portrait. Perhaps the most remarkable point about this midget of 
a Rotifer is its immense gizzard! I was utterly at a loss as to its 
identity. I was at first inclined to consider it as belonging to the 
genus Syzcheta, both from its rapid movements and its two anterior 
lateral lobes, although I was unable to make out any sete. How- 
ever Dr. Hudson informs me that he has little doubt of its being 
Notommata lacinulata, a very imperfect description of which will 
be found in “ Pritchard.” Your readers will also be glad to hear 
from the same source that Dr. Hudson’s monograph of the Rotifera 
is now nearly completed, and that before long we may expect an 
announcement of particulars. 
REMARKS ON PATHOGENIC BACTERIA. 
By Dr. H. J. Detmers, F.R.M.S. 
R. PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF 
MIcROscoPIsTs :—It was my intention to prepare a paper to 
be read before the Society at this meeting, but circumstances beyond 
my control prevented its preparation, consequently when coming 
here, I came to learn and to listen, and not to speak. But as you, 
Mr. President, desire that I shall say something, although entirely 
unprepared, the members of the Society, I hope, will be forbearing, 
and be satisfied with such a rambling talk, as I shall be able to give. 
It was my intention to write on “ The Actions of Pathogenic Bac- 
teria” (the name dacteria used as a generic term), because in my 
investigations of infectious diseases of live stock, I could not help 
observing that pathogenic bacteria do not all act alike. So, for 
instance, while many, perhaps most of the known pathogenic 
bacteria—particularly Bacillus anthracis—act as a ferment, cause 
fermentation or decomposition of the blood, others, for instance 
the micrococci, or more correctly, diplococci of swine-plague, do 
not produce any chemical changes in the blood and other tissues, 
except such, as will necessarily result from the withdrawal of such 
matter, as may be appropriated by them for their existence, and 
for their development and propagation. Otherwise they only act 
in a mechanical way; they close the finer capillaries, thus cause 
local congestion and embolism, and in that way produce the 
morbid process,—their action, at any rate, cannot be called a 
