FOR DETECTING GERMS IN AIR. 



removed with a pair of fine scissors and forceps, 

 placed in a deep growing slide with some medium, 

 and set aside for observation." 



The advantages claimed by Dr. Maddox for this 

 apparatus are ready application at any spot, the col- 

 lection of the atmospheric particles into a small s-pace 

 in such a manner that they may be at once micro- 

 scopically examined with a T ^th or ^th objective, 

 placed in some form of cultivating apparatus for 

 further observation, or mounted permanently. 



Dr. Maddox has found besides particles of various 

 organic and mineral matters, pollen grains, minute 

 germs of various fungi or protophytes, and excessively 

 minute bodies, " molecules," " globules," &c. These 

 varied in number according to the force of the wind, 

 dryness of the ground, and other circumstances. 



At the close of his paper Dr. Maddox remarks : 

 " The examination of the collections made over forty 

 days has shown that in this immediate locality 

 (Woolstone, near Southampton), at this period (May), 

 the air cannot be considered as loaded with micro- 

 scopic germs ; the largest number visible and counted 

 as such on one cover being twenty-one (not including 

 bacteroid bodies). A few only have germinated ; 

 they are under observation." 



