CULTIVATIOxX OF BACTERIA 



29 



means of the platinum wire loop to the tube of sterile 

 broth. In order to avoid carrying along other germs, 

 however, we first hold the wire loop in the flame until 

 it glows, thus destroying any germs that may have 



Fig. 11. — Incubator (Eyre). 



lodged on the wire. The loop cools in a moment, the 

 culture is transferred, the tubes are again closed with 

 the cotton plugs, and the wire is at once passed through 

 the flame before being laid down. Thus all danger of 

 spreading the germs about is avoided. 



