ql Bacterial Flora of the Atlantic. 387 
_thisclass of life in the open ocean is practically nothing, for 
‘Sitatific expeditions have as yet paid no attention to the 
investigation of these forms. 
_ While we have no direct knowledge concerning their pres- 
‘ein mid-ocean, it is not unreasonable to suppose that they 
#¢ present throughout the great mass of oceanic waters. 
| Mftesh water are of undoubted land origin, but we recognize 
Manic existence, it is not at all improbable that these 
Minitive generalized types of life may have been dwellers in 
wound in Eur opean waters. This point will, however, be 
ted later in another connection 
yi disappearance of bacterial life in fresh water 
b think ® distance from the shore increases has led some 
th 
a ed Tegard the presence of micro-organisms as 
tor j and contamination and where this disturbing 
cltded, the normal number of bacteria is regarded 
That there is a marked diminution in 
mé recede from the shore is undisputed, but this 
Su remaing reaches its minimal point and then the propor- 
Uction ane Constant. Even where the condition for 
harbor and-derived forms is as favorable as it is in 
. ' usual] : large Seaport, the point of minimal diminu- 
land Y Teached within a distance of three or four miles 
the ordinary coastal drainage the influx of 
it 
Wat 
Pear a: forms does not affect the average content to as 
beer i h water 
* that the oy life of salt with that of fresh w 
reason f ris usually much richer in bacteria. The 
to "or this is perhaps the closer proximity of fresh 
at bact Soil layer, the upper strata of which are so 
4 €rial life, Every rain fall brings innumerable 
oo 
a 
tantial evidence and that is the presence of identi- . 
heen f «Same species on this side of the Atlantic that have | 
0 
at bacteria are present in sea water in only limited — 
See SS eee 
