6 GENERAL MORPHOLOGY AND BIOLOGY 



it again assumes the original bacillary or spiral form. Thei 

 capsule dehisces either longitudinally, or terminally, or trans- 

 versely. In the last case the dehiscence may be partial, and the 

 new individual may remain for a time attached by its ends to 

 the hinged spore-case, or the dehiscence may be complete and 

 the bacillus grow with a cap at each end consisting of half the 

 spore-case. Sometimes the spore-case does not dehisce, but is 

 simply absorbed by the developing bacterium. 



It is important to note that in the bacteria spore formation 

 is rarely, if ever, to be considered as a method of multiplication. 

 In at least the great majority of cases only one spore is formed 

 from one bacterium, and only one bacterium in the first instance 

 from one spore. Sporulation is to be looked upon as a resting 

 stage of a bacterium, and is to be contrasted with the stage 

 w T hen active multiplication takes place. The latter is usually 

 referred to as the vegetative stage of the bacterium. Regarding 

 the signification of spore formation in bacteria there has been 

 some difference of opinion. According to one view it may be 

 regarded as representing the highest stage in the vital activity 

 of a bacterium. There is thus an alternation between the 

 vegetative and spore stage, the occurrence of the latter being 

 necessary to the maintenance of the species in its greatest 

 vitality. Such a rejuvenescence, as it were, through sporulation, 

 is known in many algae. In support of this view there are 

 certain facts. In many cases, for instance, spore formation only 

 occurs at temperatures specially favourable for growth and 

 multiplication. There is often a temperature below which, 

 while vegetative growth still takes place, sporulation will not 

 occur ; and in the case of b. anthracis, if the organism be kept 

 at a temperature above the limit at which it grows best, not 

 only are no spores formed, but the species may lose the power 

 of sporulation. Furthermore, in the case of bacteria preferring 

 the presence of oxygen for their growth, an abundant supply of 

 this gas may favour sporulation. It is probable that even among 

 bacteria preferring the absence of oxygen for vegetative growth, 

 the presence of this gas favours sporulation. Most bacteriologists 

 are, however, of opinion that when a bacterium forms a spore, 

 it only does so when its surroundings, especially its food supply, 

 become unfavourable for vegetative growth ; it then remains in 

 this condition until it is placed in more suitable surroundings. 

 Such an occurrence would be analogous to what takes place 

 under similar conditions in many of the protozoa. Often 

 sporulation can be prevented from taking place for an indefinite 

 time if a bacterium is constantly supplied with fresh food (the 



