202 RELATIONSHIPS OF THE COCACCE^ 



body. Occurs singly, or in pairs, or irregular groups. Gen- 

 erally stains by Gram. Good to abundant, white surface 

 growth. Moderate acid production in dextrose, lactose, and 

 maltose media, not in glycerin or mannite. Nitrates not 

 reduced. Gelatin not liquefied. 



Closely allied to Alb. candidus there appears to be a 

 fourth type of Albococcus, which is probably sufficiently 

 distinct and sufficiently common to deserve a specific 

 name. This is the white, non-liquefying, pathogenic 

 form described by Gaffky (1883) under the name M. 

 tetragenus. It is a large coccus, occurring typically in 

 groups of four cells, surrounded by a capsule, and staining 

 by Gram. It is found in human sputum and occasionally 

 develops pathogenic properties, as a secondary invader, 

 or in pyogenic processes. It is extremely pathogenic for 

 white mice, producing an acute septicaemia. On artificial 

 media it grows readily, forming a slimy viscid layer, of a 

 grayish- white color. Its capsule and viscid growth suggest 

 the genus Diplococcus, and its cell grouping is inter- 

 mediate between that of Diplococcus and that of Albococ- 

 cus. The abundant growth on artificial media seems 

 to indicate a somewhat closer relation with the latter 

 genus. It is possible that the organism described under 

 the names M. bo try genus and M . ascoformans, as the 

 cause of botryomycosis in horses (Fliigge, 1896), is allied 

 to Alb. tetragenus. 



It is evident that this organism differs from other albo- 

 cocci mainly in two points: first in the fact that its cells 



