126 STUDY AND IDENTIFICATION OF MOULDS 



Before inoculating media with moulds, some recommend placing the material in 

 60% alcohol for one or two hours to kill the bacteria. The moulds withstand such 

 treatment. 



In cultivating moulds it is best to use small Erlenmeyer flasks, containing about 

 one-fourth of an inch of media on the bottom, for the development of the colonies. 

 In order to separate the mould we may take the hair or scales on a sterile slide and 

 cut them into small fragments with a sterile knife. Then moisten a platinum loop 

 from the surface of an agar slant, touch a fragment with the loop, and when it adheres 

 transfer it to the agar slant. Make four or five inoculations on the surface and 

 from suitable growth, after four to seven days, inoculate the medium in the Erlen- 

 meyer flask. 



Plauth recommends receiving the mould material between two sterile glass slides. 

 Seal the edge of the slide with wax and place the preparation in a moist chamber 

 for four to seven days. From developing fungus growth inoculate the medium in 

 the Erlenmeyer flask. A Petri dish containing several layers of thoroughly mois- 

 tened filter-paper in top and bottom makes a satisfactory moist chamber. 



