144 REPORT—1874. 
scopical examination no other germ could be observed except multitudes of these 
“putrid cells.” If this ferment be mixed with water and whole eggs immersed 
therein, these cells will penetrate the shells of the eggs and develop in their con- 
tents. Germs of different animalcule are generally found on the outside of the 
shells of eggs; and when thus placed in water these animalculz develop and swim 
about in the liquid. 
In the above experiment it was remarkable to observe that four different kinds of 
animalcule developed in the water in which the eggs were placed. One of these 
we termed the “screw ;” it had exactly the appearance of from one and a half to 
two and a half turns of a corkscrew ; its body remained rigid, and propelled itself 
along by turning quickly round, on the same principle that a corkscrew penetrates 
acork. The next two we termed respectively the unifilamented and bifilamented 
fluke. Under the microscope they appeared like flukes, but their real appearance 
resembled that of an egg. Some possessed one and some two filaments about three 
times the length of themselves; and by aid of these, which they switch into a 
quick peristaltic motion in front of them, they were enabled to swim quickly along. 
The fourth kind was the ordinary vibrio, which, together with the putrid cell, 
were the only agents of decomposition which we ever found to penetrate the shell 
of a whole egg and develop in its interior. In several other experiments eggs 
were left in fluids containing immense numbers of these animalcule, but in 
no case did we ever find that they had been able to pass through the shell of a 
whole egg. 
The Vibrio-decomposition—The class of animalcule to which we give the name 
of “ Vibrios” has been described in former papers by the late Dr. Crace-Calvert 
before the Association. They resemble a worm in appearance. Their bodies 
remain straight and rigid, and in most fluids which contain them some swim about 
or move to and fro, and many are generally observed to be motionless and apparently 
quite dead. The germs and dried bodies of these animalculz are wafted about in 
the atmosphere, and seem to be natural to it. They are never found originally in 
the contents of an egg, but are often found to be the cause of decomposition in 
rotten eggs. 
If the outside of the shells of eggs be kept dry from the time they are laid, this 
decomposition cannot proceed, inasmuch as the dry bodies of the animalcules cannot 
make their way through the shell. If, however, the shell be kept wet for some time, 
the egg is certain to become putrid by the agency of the vibrio. A little of the albu- 
menous contents dialyzes out, and thus gives the necessary food for the develop- 
ment and growth of the vibrios or their germs, which are everywhere floating about ; 
and it is only when they attain to a certain degree of vitality in the moisture on the 
outside that they can make their way into the interior. These vibrios absorb oxy- 
gen and give out carbonic dioxide. Eggs which are kept wet in oxygen very soon 
become very putrid through this vibrio decomposition ; but in coal-gas and carbonic 
dioxide the growth of the animalcule is prevented, and the egg generally remains 
prod Vibrios were found in many eggs which had their shells pierced and were 
ept dry ; but in some, where the shells were pierced, vibrios did not appear; the 
albumen seemed to dry over the hole and close it, so that in two cases, when the 
shells of the eggs were pierced, the contents dried up (no germ of pares ee 
having entered) and appeared good and free from smell. The white could then 
easily be cut out, and moulded between the fingers like putty. 
The Fungus-decomposition—This agent of decomposition is very different to the 
former two ; it is composed of fine filaments, which grow in immense numbers, and 
with much rapidity, in albuminous solutions. The fungus found generally is the 
Penicilium glaucum ; its spores are always found floating about in the atmosphere. 
If dry eggs are placed in a constant current of air they will seldom, if ever, be 
attacked by this agent of decomposition; the air-current seems to prevent them 
from taking root on the shell; but if, on the other hand, they be protected from 
air-currents, this fungus generally makes its appearance and penetrates the shell. 
The filaments then begin to spread in all directions. In some cases all sides of the 
shell are bound firmly together by these filaments, stretching from all sides; so that 
the egg could not be opened by the usual modes of operation, and the shell had to 
be completely torn to pieces, or the binding filaments cut with a lmife. In all cases 
