33 



of bacteria in feeding atmospheric nitrogen to 

 the roots of plants ? and what with their action in 

 decomposing ammoniacal salts finally into sol- 

 uble nitrates, ready for absorption by the plants ? 

 Does electricity stimulate the functions of the 

 bacteria ? 



A current of electricity passed through water 

 containing certain freely floating organisms causes 

 them to take notice of the fact and accommodate 

 themselves to it. Dr. Waller has shown that a 

 vessel of water with parameciae plentifully inhabit- 

 ing it is curiously affected if a current of electricity 

 is passed through it. The minute organisms at 

 once form in line and rush towards the negative 

 electrode, and if the current is reversed hasten the 

 other way. One might think that the current 

 drives the minute organisms with it, as it does 

 some chemicals in cataphoresis; but, strange to say, 

 other micro-organisms swim, as it were, against the 

 current. D'Arsonville insists that electricity of 

 high potential has a definite effect upon micro- 

 organisms, and his remarkable experiment with the 

 bacillus pyocyaneus, which caused it to change the 

 color of its secretive pigment, is much in evidence. 

 And then we know of the stimulating influence of 

 thunderstorms upon fermentative germs; for in- 

 stance, upon the lactic ferment, causing it to turn 

 milk sour more quickly. 



We think we have sufficient knowledge of the 

 effects of electricity upon the cells of complex man 

 to warrant us in believing that it does favor their 

 nutrition; why not infer that it has a like action 



