652 FUNGI 



But a fuller knowledge of 7>. lineola is certainly wanting before we 

 can deny the further analogy. 



No doubt if such affinity were established, it would lead to much 

 rearrangement at the base of the organic series. 



Since there is an apparent and highly suggestive leaning of the 

 Bacteria to those forms of Algse which form the group of Nostocacece, 

 these also would be brought nearer the Flagellata ; while the Myce- 

 tozoa will have singular points of contact with these, one of which 

 has reference to the mode of sparing of one at least of the flagellate 

 saprophytes, 1 while it is suggestive that the same grouping, should 

 the affinity be established, would involve a connection with the Algre 

 and the Fungi. 



It is only definite results leading to a comprehensive view of the 

 morphology of the Bacteria as a whole that can render generalisation 

 in this matter safe. 



By the word Bacteria we mean, strictly speaking, rod-shaped 

 micro-organisms, but the term is now commonly used to indicate 

 the whole group of fission-fungi, which includes not only rod-forms 

 varying in length but also spherical and egg-shaped cells. Motile 

 forms, whether longer or shorter, are possessed, as a rule, of fine 

 flagella. The mode of multiplication commonly observed is by 

 fission. The products of successive fissions may remain together in 

 a single filiform row loosely attached, or attached by the unbroken 

 filament of the flagella, or they may at once separate from the 

 primal cell. Multiplication also occurs by processes which may be 

 considered as representing fructification. 



Of the nature of this simplest cell we have hitherto learnt 

 comparatively little ; the protoplasm is generally homogeneous, but 

 in some species contains starch granules. Thus Clostridium 

 butyricum gives the starch reaction with iodine. Sulphur granules 

 are present in species of Beyyiatoa which thrive in sulphur springs. 

 Others again contain pigment. The most remarkable of the 

 coloured forms uniformly tinged red was found and named by Bay 

 Lankester ; 2 other forms, coloured green by chlorophyll, have been 

 described by Van Tieghem and Yon Engelmann, but it is quite 

 possible that these may be Algre, and further researches are required 

 before these particular micro-organisms can be included among 

 bacteria. 



Within the protoplasm of the Bacteria, however, no nuclei have 

 hitherto been discovered, but there is a delicate investing envelope, 

 probably a mere thickening of the outmost area of the protoplasm, 

 which is often also gelatinous in its outer portions. 



Many forms of Bacteria have the power of entirely free move- 

 ment. Frequently this movement is coincident with a revolution on 

 the longer axis of the rod, curved or straight, and in the vast 

 majority of cases this is directly correlated with a vortical action of 

 a front flagellum an action which may be seen with the utmost 

 ease, if the proper means be employed, in the case of Spirillum 



i J.E.M.S. vol. v. ser. ii. pp. 189-90, fig. 16, Plate V. 

 - Quart. Journ. Microsc. Sci. new series, xiii. 408. 



