THE GENUS MICROCOCCUS 223 



permissible to define a type having these characters. 

 Either of the 1886 names, M. candicans or M. aquatilis, 

 might be used for this type. Cohn still earlier gave the 

 name M. candidus to a coccus which formed white colonies 

 on potato. No other characters were noted, and it is 

 uncertain whether he was dealing with a white Micrococcus 

 form or with one of the albococci. On the whole, Fliigge's 

 name seems preferable, as the first which was described 

 with any fullness. 



4. M. candicans (Flugge). A saprophytic or semi- 

 parasitic coccus, found most commonly in earth, water, and 

 air, frequently also on the surfaces of the animal body. 

 Occurs singly, or in pairs, or irregular groups. Variable 

 reaction to Gram stain. Good to abundant growth, of white 

 color. Fails to form acid in lactose, maltose, and glycerin 

 media, but does acidify mannite. Gelatin not liquefied. 

 Nitrates not reduced. 



This type is an intermediate form between Micrococcus 

 and Albococcus. In its white color, and often in its Gram 

 reaction, it resembles the Paracoccaceae. On the other 

 hand, it fails to attack lactose and maltose, which are broken 

 up by the albococci, and it does acidify mannite, which the 

 albococci fail to ferment. Furthermore, altho it occurs 

 on the body, as all micrococci may, it has been found more 

 commonly under saprophytic conditions. 



The following names of white, non-liquefying, sapro- 

 phytic cocci, which appear to be synonyms of M. candicans, 

 testify to the widespread occurrence of this type: M. 



