lOG 



STUDIES OX FERMENTATItJN. 



more complicated parts, to which the oxygen cannot penetrate 

 in consequence of its absorption by the surrounding parts, are 

 more granular in appearance as well as larger, and inclined 

 to develop swellings. We can observe no conidia * on these 

 filaments, but we may say that they are on the point of appear- 

 ing, for the spherical segments often tend to assume an appear- 

 ance of close jointing, as when they take the form of those 

 rows of swelling, or cells, which has given rise to the idea of 

 the cliaplets of the conidia-cellules. This is represented in the 

 accompanying sketches (Fig. 21), which we have purposely con- 

 trasted with tvro similar ones which relate to the mucor, of 

 which we shall soon speak. The conidia of these latter are very 

 remarkable, and their fermentative character becomes apparent 

 as soon as their growths are deprived of air. 



It is scarcely necessary to add that in these vegetations 

 of aspergillus, which were accompanied by a corresponding 

 alcoholic fermentation, it was impossible to find cells of yeast ; 

 and that, notwithstanding this, the liquid was so adapted to 

 ordinary alcoholic fermentation, that, when we added a small 

 quantity of yeast to it, in the course of a few hours, a most active 

 alcoholic fermentation declared itself. 



We may give some other facts relating to a crop of 

 aspergillus glaucus which was also grown in ordinary hopped 

 wort, and which was left to itself for a year. 



A two-necked flask, holding 800 c.c. (rather more than 10 

 fl. oz.) was prepared and impregnated on December 21st, 

 1873, and was then placed in an oven at a temperature of 

 25° C. (77° F.). The fungoid growth developed in isolated 

 tufts, which subsequently united, but without entirely covering 

 the surface of the wort. A few tufts also vegetated at the 

 bottom of the liquid ; those on the surface soon became 

 surrounded by large bubbles of gas. 



On December 12th, 1874, we examined the liquid and the plant, 

 which for a long time had appeared dead. Its mycelium was 



* By the term conidia is meant certain chains of colls, which are in 

 reality mycelial spores. 



