FORM AND STRUCTURE OF BACTERIA 41 



developed in nutrient media as a result of reproduction in a 

 definite manner. The type of colony is a characteristic for a 

 definite species and is not an accidental formation. The type 

 of colony is of taxonomic importance ; that is, of importance 

 in identifying a definite species (Fig. 28). The edges of the 

 colonies may be regular, smooth, or serrated (Fig. 29). Dif- 

 ferent descriptive terms are applied to the characteristic fash- 

 ion in which bacteria grow in colonies. When bacteria are 

 inoculated on the surface of agar tubes or by puncture into 

 gelatin or agar, the various species grow in a very constant and 

 typical manner (Fig. 30). 



