326 IMPORTANT VARIETIES OF FISSION-FUNGI. 



flat, primarily non-characteristic, smeary growth on 

 potato, which later forms large, parallel folds. The resist- 

 ing spores withstand a short baking process. 



The Bac. gummosus Ritsert (C. B. xi, 730), obtained from gela- 

 tinous infusion of digitalis, seems to be related. See also Happ 

 (C. B. XIV, 175). According to both authors, this organism is only 

 able to elaborate this slimy material from cane-sugar and not from 

 grape- or milk-sugar. Besides, there originate mannite, grape-sugar, 

 lactic acid, butyric acid, and carbonic acid. The carcinoma bacillus 

 of Scheurlen (C. B. in, 397) has also been shown to belong to this 

 group, but has nothing to do with carcinoma. 



Bacillus geniculatus (Duclaux). L. and N. 



Tyrothrix geniculata Duclaux. The gelatin plates macroscopically 

 resemble Bac. vulgatus. When magnified 60 times, they present an 

 interesting exhibition. The colonies at first appear upon the gelatin 

 with delicate scalloping, like typhoid; with advancing liquefaction 

 the scallops are replaced by curls, which in irregularity may compare 

 with those of anthrax; still later, the circle of locks "falls away and 

 the compact colony floats in the shallow liquefied area, surrounded by 

 irregular disintegrating masses. Also in the growth upon potato and 

 in other properties it resembles the Bac. vulgatus. We have seen 

 nothing of the branches in gelatin as described by Winkler. 



Bacillus mesentericus. (Fliigge.) Lehm. and 

 Neum. 



(Plate 43.) 



Synonym. Bacillus mesentericus fuscus Fliigge. 

 (Fliigge, 3d Edit., p. 199.) 



Microscopic Appearance. Slender rods with rounded 

 ends, 0.8-2.4 //. long, 0.7-0.9 thick, //. having a tendency 

 to form roundish spores. 



Motility, staining properties, and conditions of life 

 are like those in the case of the Bac. vulgatus. 



Gelatin Plate. 



(a) Natural size : Minute, roundish, grayish-white col- 

 onies, which very soon sink into the gelatin. The zone of 

 liquefaction is flat, gray, cloudy. The colonies resemble 

 very much those of subtilis (43, x). 



(6) Magnified fifty times. Superficial : In the earliest stages 

 they resemble those of typhoid, as do those of the Bac. 

 vulgatus (43, xi). (See also 16, vm.) With the onset 



