MICROCOCCI 497 



MICEOCOCCUS AGILIS 



LIQUEFIES GELATINE 



Authority. Ali-Colien, ' Eigenbewegung bei Mikrokokken,' Centralblatt 

 f. Bakteriologie, vol. vi., 1889, p. 33. 



Where Found. In drinking water. 



Microscopic Appearance. Occurs principally as diplococci; forms also 

 short streptococci, and is found sometimes in tetrads. The cocci are 1 fj. in 

 diameter, and are motile. Loeffler (see p. 57) stained the flagella for the first 

 time, and found them to be very long and fine, their length exceeding the 

 diameter of the coccus four to five times. In older cultures the cocci lose their 

 motility, but if inoculated into 5 per cent, milk-sugar agar they at once regain 

 their power of movement. This was found to be the case with even three - 

 months-old cultures. 



Cultures. 



GELATINE TUBES. Produces a pinkish red pigment, and liquefies the gela- 

 tine very slowly ; for some time the needle's track in the depth only exhibits a 

 dry, hollow funnel, and liquefaction only really commences after from three to 

 four weeks. 



AGAR-AGAK. Produces a pinkish red pigment. 



POTATOES. Produces a pinkish red pigment. 



Remarks. It will not grow at 37 C. 



MICROCOCCUS CERASINUS SICCUS (List) 



Authority. List, Die Bakterien der Nutz- und Trinkwasser, Adametz. 

 Vienna, 1888. 



Where Found. In water. 



Microscopic Appearance. Very small cocci, from 0-25 to 0-32 p in diameter. 

 Occurs singly, and also arranged as diplococci. Not motile. 



Cultures. 



AGAR- AGAR Forms a dry dull expansion, which rapidly spreads and is of a 



cherry-red colour. It does not grow in the depth. 



POTATOES Develops rapidly at 37 C., forming a dry red growth which 

 quickly spreads over the whole surface. 



Remarks. It grows best at 37'5 C. The pigment produced is insoluble in water, 

 alcohol, and ether, and is not affected in the presence of acids and alkalies. Has no 

 fermentative properties. 



K E. 



