96 REPORT— 1889. 



extensively the * take ' of the Neapolitan trawlers, with the view of testing 

 the results already obtained. In the new physiological laboratory parti- 

 cular attention will be paid to the preservation of fish for the purposes of 

 food — a question which is of great importance in the Mediterranean, 

 especially during the hot season. 



In the Bacteriological Laboratory all the available places have been 

 occupied during the year. Attention is drawn to the importance of the 

 investigations carried out by Professor de Giaxa,' of Pisa, and Dr. F. 

 Sanfelice,^ of Naples, which have recently been published. Professor de 

 Giaxa's conclusions are: 1. Sterilised sea-water — independently of the 

 common micro-organisms it contains, and perhaps independently of the 

 changes produced by the presence of organic and mineral matters coming 

 from sewers — is an excellent nutritive medium for the reproduction of 

 the bacilli of cholera, carbuncle, typhus, and of Staphylococcus pyogenes 

 aureus. These micro-organisms can reproduce and propagate in it to a 

 considerable degree. 2. In non-sterilised sea-water the reproduction of 

 the above-named four micro-organisms is prevented by the com- 

 petition which takes place between them and the common micro- 

 organisms present in the water, the intensity of the influence being 

 principally and perhaps entirely dependent on the number of the latter 

 present. 3. The bacilli of carbuncle and cholera introduced into the 

 stomach of fishes were destroyed after a short time. Their destruction is 

 due partly to the gastric juice and partly to the comjjetition which takes 

 place between the pathogene bacilli and the common bacteria existing in 

 the stomach and intestines of fishes. In like manner the bacilli of car- 

 buncle and cholera do not live in molluscs. 



Dr. F. Sanfelice limited his researches to the bacteriological analysis 

 of the sea- water in certain localities on the east and west coasts of the 

 Gulf of Naples. He has examined the water in proximity to sewers, and 

 at distances of 100, 200, 300, and 400 metres. The result of counting the 

 colonies on gelatine plates demonstrated that there is in the vicinity of 

 the coast a great number of micro-organisms, and that this number 

 diminishes sensibly as the distance from the shore increases. The number 

 is more considerable where the larger sewers open, and it diminishes very 

 sensibly in the open water. Other papers bearing on these questions will 

 be found in the list of publications for next year. 



The negotiations with the Spanish Government, referred to in last 

 year's report, have resulted in three tables having been secured by the 

 Ministries of Marine, Public Instruction, and the Colonies, respectively. 

 Two naval officers have already completed their course of instruction, and 

 several other officers and naturalists are expected at the Station. One of 

 the Russian officers at present on duty in Japanese waters is making 

 large collections of specimens, which promise to be of the highest scien- 

 tific interest. 



On the subject of the participation of universities and States in the 

 advantages of the Station, together with increased privileges, and on the 

 mode of obtaining means necessary for conducting this expensive part of 

 the establishment, the Directorate proposes to report specially next year. 



' ' Ueber das Verhalten einiger pathogener Mikroorganismen in Meerwasser.' 

 Zeitschrift far Hygiene, vol. vi. p. 162, 1889. 



- ' Ricerche batteriologicbe delle acque del mare in vicinanza dello sbocco delle 

 fognature ed in lontananza da qneste.' Boll. Soc. di JVaturalisti, Napoli, vol. iii. 

 part I., 1889 



