150 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [April 



greater part of the spores are, in fact, mycelian chlamydospores, 

 but some of them are also analogous to aerian chlamydospores, 

 both forms being presented by certain Mucorinoe. We must 

 admit, therefore, with M, Van Tieghem, that the two species of 

 asexual spores are of one and the same origin. 



The main importance of M. Barnouvin's observations is that 

 the chlamydic form is not usually found in hydrolates (dis- 

 tilled watery solutions) and the question is — does it occur more 

 frequently in a aqueous solutions (not formed by distillation)? 

 It is probable that in all cases the poverty of aqueous distillates 

 in the matter of nutritive elements is the obstacle to the develop- 

 ment of these particular organs of reproduction. — National 

 Druggist. 



IttEDICAL MICROSCOPY. 



Simplification of the Examination for Tubercle Bacilli. 



— Professor Rindfleisch, of Wurzliurg, says in the Deutsche 

 Medizinische Wochenschrijt that the bicilli are found in greatest 

 numbers in the liquid and not in the masses of mucus of the 

 sputum, and advises the following method for their demonstra- 

 tion : Dip a camel's hair pencil in water so as to moisten it well 

 and press out surjilus water. With this stir the sputum well 

 an<l on withdrawing it, although nothing will apparently cling 

 to it, it will be full of bacilli (if they are present in the sputum). 

 With it stroke the cover glass lightly, so as to make an uniform 

 coating over it Of course, a new pencil must be used for each 

 operation, as it has been found practically impossible, without 

 a disproportionate amount of labor, to free the pencil from 

 traces of the bacilli, which might invalidate subsequent exami- 

 nations . — National Druggist. 



Fluorescent "Bacteria.- Bacillus pyocyaneus, B. syncyayieum, B 

 fluorrscens tenuis and several others, studied by K. Thumm oxi- 

 dize gra[)e sugar to acid which is neutralized by the ammonia 

 formed later. (Jour. Roy. Mic. Soc, 1896, Pt. 6, 672.) 



