200 RELATIONSHIPS OF THE COCCACE^E 



others do not. The avirulent forms may be of sufficient 

 importance to deserve recognition as a distinct type cen- 

 ter. This cannot, however, be considered certain without 

 a careful comparative study of the quantitative biochem- 

 ical relations of the pathogenic and non-pathogenic forms, 

 since the avirulent white cocci may prove to belong to 

 one or other of the two type centers next to be described. 

 The second clearly marked type of the albococci differs 

 from Alb. pyo genes in the fact that it reduces nitrates. 

 This was the most abundant form found by Gordon on 

 the hand, cheek, scalp, and forearm. As described by 

 him, it formed enough acid to coagulate milk, formed acid 

 in maltose and glycerin as well as dextrose and lactose, 

 and reduced neutral red. In our own work we found the 

 organism three times; in each case it was isolated from 

 the air. It is apparently the form named by Dyar (1895) 

 M. dissimilis. It might well bear this name, as.Dyar's 

 description is the first which specifically includes the 

 property of nitrate reduction. Gordon prefers, however, 

 to identify his type with the Staphylococcus epidermidis 

 albus of Welch. Since Gordon's is the earliest type founded 

 on a comparative study, the name which he adopts from 

 Welch may be accepted as the first to be adequately 

 characterized. It must be modified, however, by the 

 elimination of the trinomial form, in accordance with the 

 general rules of nomenclature. We propose, therefore, 

 the name Alb. epidermidis (Gordon) for this type, charac- 

 terizing it according to Gordon's description as follows: 



