150 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [April 



f];reater part oftlie spores are, in fact, mycelian chlamydospores, 

 but some of them are also an il 0^^011 s to aerian chlamydosjjores, 

 both forms being presented by certain Mucorince. 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 clilamydic form is not usually found in hydrolates (dis- 

 tilled watery solutions) nnd tlie question is — does it occur more 

 frequently in a aqtieous 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. 



MEDICAL MICROSCOPY. 



Simplification of the Examination for Tubercle Bacilli. 



■ — Professor riindlleis(!h, of \\'uizl>urg, says in the Deutsche 

 Medizinische Wochenschrijt that the btcilli are found in greatest 

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

 sputum, and advises the following metliod for their demonstra- 

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

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

 and on withdrawing it, although nothing will apparently cling 

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

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

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

 operation, as it has been found practically impossible, without 

 a disproportionate amount of labor, to free the ])encil from 

 traces of the bacilli, which might invalidate subsequent exami- 

 nations. — National Druggist. 



Fluorescent Bacteria.- Bacillus pyocyaneus, B. syncyaneum, B 

 fluorrsccns 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.) 



