46 



BACTERIUM PHOSPHORESCENS. Fischer. 



THIS IS BUT ONE OF A NUMBER OF BACTERIA FOUND IN SEA-WATER 



WHICH POSSESSES THE PROPERTY OF PHOSPHORESCING IN THE DARK. 

 PHOTOBACTEBIUM. 



Origin. In water of the harbor of Kiel, also on sea 

 fish. 



Form. Short, thick bacillus, with rounded ends; 

 sometimes almost a coccus. Usually in pairs, may form 

 threads. Involution forms soon develop. 



Motility. No motion. 



Sporulation. Not observed. 



Anilin Dyes. Slain readily. 



Growth. Moderately rapid, and the cultures show 

 a greenish phosphorescence in the dark. 



Gelatin Plates. Show small, white, glistening colonies, which do not 

 liquefy gelatin. The border is sharp, irregular, and contents are granular, 

 and show several concentric rings. 



Stich Cultures.- -Granular growth along the line of inoculation, but is 

 most abundant on the surface, forming a thin grayish white covering. Even- 

 tually the gelatin is colored a yellowish brown. 



Streak Cultures. On agar, potatoes, etc., growth is limited to the line of 

 inoculation. Grows also well on fish, beef, bread, fats, etc. 



Oxygen requirements. Is a facultative anaerobe. 

 The production of light depends upon the presence of 

 oxygen, and is therefore most marked on the surface 

 growths. The intensity of the iight may diminish and 

 eventually become lost attenuation. May be restored 

 by growth on suitable media, as salt fish, etc. 



Temperature. Does not grow in incubator. 

 grow at C. 



Behavior to Gelatin. Does not liquefy. 

 Pathogenesis. No effect on animals. 



