BACTERIUM PRODIGIOSUM. 273 



Most Important Literature. Schottelius (C. B. II, 439); Wasserzug 

 (A. P., 1888); Kiibler (C. B. v, 383); Scheurlen (A. H. xxvi, 1). 



Microscopic Appearance. From solid nutrient me- 

 dia, very short bacilli, often looking like cocci. The ends 

 are somewhat pointed or rounded. The greatest diameter 

 is 1 ft. (21, xi ; 22, ix). In bouillon, especially if it is 

 faintly acid, there occur longer forms, distinct rods, and 

 shorter and longer threads. 



Motility. In young bouillon cultures there is active 

 motion, produced by from 6 to 8 long, peritrichous flagella 

 (21, xii ; 22, xi ). On the contrary, older agar and 

 potato cultures appear non-motile, and in them the bacil- 

 lus produces abundant slimy material, which limits mo- 

 tion. Scheurlen attributes the mucous formation to the 

 abundant production of alkali. 



Staining Properties. Easily stained, but not by 

 Gram's method. 



Relation to Oxygen. Facultative anaerobe; grows 

 better as an aerobe. Also as an anaerobe it liquefies gelatin 

 (also with the addition of 2 per cent, sugar), but forms 

 no pigment. 



Requirements as Regards Temperature and Com- 

 position of Nutrient Media. Optimum at 22-25 ; in 

 the incubator, especially at 38-39, the formation of pig- 

 ment is suspended. A more prolonged cultivation at a 

 higher temperature permanently lessens the formation of 

 pigment. 1 It grows also,, with production of pigment, 

 upon non-albuminous nutrient media. 



Gelatin Plate. (a) Natural size: At first the super- 

 ficial colony is a grayish-white point, and the gelatin is 

 liquefied at once. The area of liquefaction is shaped like 

 a plate. The peripheral zone is lighter than the central 

 zone. Original colonies are often colored reddish, but often 



with the Bact. prodigiosum, since both are identical (compare p. 

 276). 



1 It may be here remarked that, without known cause, chromo- 

 genesis by the Bact. prodigiosum is often much reduced. As is often 

 seen, of 20 cultures made at the same time and from the same origi- 

 nals upon the same nutrient media, many form pigment abundantly 

 and others very feebly. Also, upon plates fainter and more deeply 

 colored" colonies always occur side by side. 

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