CHAPTER V. 



METHODS OF INOCULATION. 



HAVING now in test-tubes and small flasks sterile material 

 ready for inoculation, it is necessary to describe the mode 

 of inoculating the same. 



i. Inoculations from Artificial Cultures. The first and 

 simplest is the case where it is required to inoculate a new 

 tube or flask with a definite organism that has been growing 

 previously in a culture-tube ; that is to say, where it is 

 required to establish from an artificial cultivation a new 

 and further artificial cultivation. Take a freshly drawn-out 

 capillary pipette, with a fine point, as described in a former 

 chapter ; draw up with clean forceps slightly the top part of 

 the cotton-wool plug of the old tube or flask, push carefully 

 and gently one of the pointed ends of the capillary pipette 

 the other can be broken off blunt through the remaining 

 part of the cotton-wool plug, and push it downwards till it 

 emerges into the culture-fluid, or, if this be solid material, 

 till it reaches the spot or place where the organism is growing ; 

 allow a small droplet to ascend into the capillary pipette, 

 which it readily does by capillarity ; or if a larger quantity is 

 required draw it up by gently sucking at the outer end of 

 the capillary pipette. Then draw the capillary pipette 



