152 IMPORTANT VARIETIES OF FISSION-FUNGI. 



The synopsis of definitions and the descriptions may be 

 prefaced as follows : All the sarcinae which we have in- 

 vestigated grow to be sure, in part very imperfectly 

 also anaerobically, and then produce H 2 S, in from barely 

 perceptible to large quantities. Aerobically, H 2 S is not 

 produced in 2% peptone bouillon by all, and in marked 

 quantity only by those where we expressly state it. A 

 minimal formation of indol occurs with all. In grape- 

 sugar bouillon, with few exceptions, only a little acid is 

 formed in six days (lactic acid), about 0.8 c.c. normal 

 acid to 100 of bouillon. Many convert urea into carbonate 

 of ammonia. 



It can not be doubted that sarcinse can cause cloudiness 

 and souring of beer (Lindner). (Compare Schonfeld, 

 C. B. L. iv, 865. ) These are said to originate especially 

 from horse-manure. 



All sarcinse stain well by Gram's method. Beautiful 

 pictures are also obtained by staining with a solution of 

 fuchsin and differentiating with acetic acid. It is important 

 always to observe the fresh preparation in a hanging drop. 

 One must guard against mistaking tetrads (or eight-celled 

 cubes) for single cells, which quite easily occurs, especially 

 with deep staining. 



We have not made statements regarding the size of 

 sarcinas, since we here found especially varying results. It 

 impresses one as if the cells often grew very large and then 

 in rapid succession divided into eight parts. 



Endospores we have been unable to find except in Sarc. 

 pulmonum Hauser. 



Spontaneous movement has not been observed in any of 

 the sarcinae examined by us with the exception of the Sarc. 

 pulmonum, but often strikingly marked molecular motion 

 was present, which continued in sublimate solution. The 

 Sarc. mobilis Maurea, obtained from Krai, was always 

 non-motile and devoid of flagella. 



In many varieties cultivation in fluid nutrient media 

 (hay decoction and bouillon) led to the formation of 

 packets and bunches of packets, which were otherwise 

 formed with difficulty or not at all. When no packets are 

 produced upon these nutrient media, one will seek them 

 in vain upon solid nutrient media. The macroscopic ap- 



