THE AMERICAN 
MONTHLY 
MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 
Entered at the post-office as second-class matter. 
VOL. XXII. JULY, 1901, NO. 7, 
CONTENTS. 
The Viability of the Bacillus Pestis. Rosenat.o i lo... 181-188 
Work on Ciliate Infusoria. Stevens 188-191 
The Preparation of Crystals as Microscopic Objects. Dowdy... 192-195 
Notes By SHILLINGTON ScALES.—Stridulating Organs in 
Beetles; U. S. Rotaioria ; Scales of Fishes... wo. ooo ccee 195-199 
A Microscope Proof of the Food of Primitive Man. White. 199-201 
MICROSCOPICAL MANIPULATION.—Distinguishing Human and 
Animal Blood ; Cement to Stand Spirits... 202-204 
BACTERIOLOGY.--Yaliability of T. bacillus; Sputum and 
Urine ; Milk dirt; Action of Cold on Bacteria : 204-206 
BIoLocicAr, Nores.—-Atoms ; Micro-organisms in Coal Beds; 
eG NER OR ORE AO B19 S88) GiB Bild BO OT eta 206-207 
MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETIES.—Quekett.. 207-208 
NEw PUBLICATIONS.—Microscopy of Starches ; Mosses with ¢ a 
Hand-lens; Astrology; Sea-weeds 200 ccccccccseccersereeees $08ai6 
The Viability of the Bacillus Pestis. 
| M. J. ROSENAU. 
We now know that this organism may live for months, 
and even years, in a test tube, on a moist albuminous 
medium. And the present work shows that even when 
dry it may live over four months, provided the tem pera- 
ture is cool—less than 20° C. The bacillus of plague can 
in no sense be considered a tender organism, as was at 
first supposed. It is much easier to cultivate than the 
lanceolate coccus of pneumonia or the pathogenic strep- 
tococci. In this respect it resembles more closely the 
hardier of the hemorrhagic septicwmic group. 
We tested the life history of this organism upon a 
great variety of objects and under various conditions. We 
