344 Miscellaneous. 



unable to ascertain the cause of the production of butyric acid, he 

 was at last struck by the coincidence shown, by his analyses, between 

 this acid and the Infusoria, and between the latter and the acid — a 

 circumstance which he had previously regarded as due to the favour- 

 able conditions afforded by the butyric acid for the life of the ani- 

 malcules. He has since convinced himself that the conversion of 

 sugar, mannite, and lactic acid into butyric acid is due exclusively to 

 these Infusoria, and that they must be regarded as the true butyric 

 ferment. 



They are small cylindrical rods, rounded at the extremities, usually 

 straight, isolated or united into chains of two, three, four, and some- 

 times more joints. Their average breadth is 0'002 mill. The length 

 of the isolated joints varies from 0'002 to 0015 or 0*02 mill. They 

 advance by a gliding movement, during which their body remains 

 rigid or undergoes slight undulations. They pirouette, balance 

 themselves, and cause the anterior and posterior parts of their body 

 to tremble rapidly. The undulations of their movements become 

 very evident when they attain a length of O'OIS mill. They are 

 often recurved at one of their extremities, sometimes at both : this 

 peculiarity is rare at the commencement of their lives. They pro- 

 pagate by fissiparity, and it is evidently to this mode of reproduction 

 that the formation of chains is due. The joint which drags others 

 behind it often agitates itself briskly, as if to detach itself. Although 

 the bodies of these Vibiioncs are cylindrical in appearance, they often 

 appear to be formed of a series of granules, oi- very short indistinct 

 joints, which are probably the first rudiments of new individuals. 



These organisms may be sown as one would sow beer-yeast ; they 

 multiply if the medium be adapted for their nourishment. They 

 may be sown in a liquid containing only sugar, ammonia, and 

 phosphates — crystaliizable and, as it were, mineral substances ; and 

 they reproduce in correlation with the butyric fermentation. The 

 weight of them formed is notable, although always very small in 

 comparison with the quantity of butyric acid produced. They live 

 and multiply without the smallest quantity of air or free oxygen, — 

 and not only this, but air kills them. If a current of pure carbonic 

 acid be passed into the liquid containing them for some time, their 

 life and reproduction are not at all affected ; but if a current of 

 atmospheric air be substituted for the carbonic acid, and passed for 

 only one or two hours, they all perish, and the formation of butyric 

 acid ceases. 



Hence, the author thinks, we arrive at this double proposition : — 



1. The butyric ferment is an Infusorium. 



2. This Infusorium lives without free oxygen gas. — Comples 

 Eendus, Feb. 25, 1861. 



[It seems to us that all the facts adduced by him go to support 

 the opinion expressed in our note, that the organisms in question are 

 not true Infusoria, but vegetable VibrionidcB. This would remove 

 everything wonderful from the circumstances ; but the observations 

 are nevertheless very interesting, as affording, we believe, the first 

 evidenceofthe production of fermentation by a Cow/erw«(/ plant. — Ed.] 



