282 ON THE GERM THEORY OF PUTREFACTION 
illustrated by the sketches given in Fig. 4 (see explanation of the Plates). This 
mode of growth explained also the peculiar arrangement of the granules, which 
serves to distinguish it from bacteria, viz. that when three or four are present 
in a group they are not, as a rule, arranged in a straight line. I suggest provi- 
sionally the name Granuligera for this little organism, of which there may, for 
aught I know, be various species. Its distinction from bacteria is a matter of 
considerable interest, because, although destitute of anything like vital move- 
ment, it often renders fluids as turbid as bacteria, and like them produces a 
rank smell in urine, followed in a few days by strong ammoniacal odour. So 
far as urine is concerned, therefore, it seems to be an instance of an organism 
different from bacteria giving rise to putrefaction. 
About this time my study suffered from an epidemic of granuligera. I could 
not now perform the same experiments with the same success as in the first 
instance: any that I tried was sure to be followed by the development of this 
pervading organism. I eluded it, however, by continuing the investigation in 
a room at the top of the house, which had been for a considerable time un- 
occupied. Here the results of experiments corresponded with those originally 
obtained in the study. 
But I have not yet spoken of the two glasses of the second experiment 
which were not exposed, but were kept covered with the evaporating dishes 
under a glass shade. The liquid in both these glasses having remained unaltered 
for nearly a fortnight (thirteen days), I exposed one of them to the air for nine 
hours in my study, which is a warm room (over the kitchen), the weather being 
dry and frosty, and then replaced it, covered as before, under the glass shade, 
having previously ascertained that the odour was that of perfectly fresh urine. 
Two days later the cloud of mucus presented a multitude of vertical white 
streaks, and the side of the glass was also similarly marked, and when another 
day had passed the whole liquid was manifestly turbid, and there were also 
two little patches of scum upon the surface. On microscopic examination I 
found that the scum was composed of a species of torula, and that the turbidity 
was due to a small organism which, while motionless like granuligera, resembled 
bacteria in its mode of segmentation and arrangement. It is represented in 
the sketches given at c in Plate VI, Fig. 3, where it will be observed that when 
three elements exist together they are in a straight line, and that some of those 
which are in pairs present a transverse line of incipient division through each 
constituent portion. Occasionally this organism was met with in the form of 
long chains (leptothrix), and it is plainly referable to the bacteric group. But 
no filamentous fungus occurred from first to last in this glass, which, in that 
respect, was the exact converse of the one which was exposed to the atmosphere 
