590 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XLVII. No. 1224 



advanced types floTiristing in inorganic media 

 containing nitrates and ethyl-alcohol have been 

 described by Hohl* and by Bnrri and Stutzer." 

 Becaiise a group has not been extensively 

 studied is no proof that it is not common. It 

 is sufficient that representative types have been 

 described. The group may well be common 

 and yet not well known. The diphtheroids, 

 the aeiduric bacilli, the cellulose fermenters, 

 are quite common, but were not well known 

 five to ten years ago. 



The resemblance between the red and yel- 

 low bacilli and the red and yellow cocci is only 

 a superficial one. They produce pigments of 

 the same chrome, but the pigments produced 

 by the two classes of bacteria are not of the 

 same type. The pigments produced by the 

 cocci belong to the lipochrome group, give the 

 typical lipocyanin test and their production is 

 not affected by temperature. The pigments 

 produced by the red bacilli do not give the 

 lipocyanin test and their production is mark- 

 edly affected by temperature. There are in 

 addition marked metabolic differences between 

 these two groups of organisms. The B. prodi- 

 giosus and related bacilli are more actively 

 fermentative and many produce gas — ^largely 

 COg. They as a rule liquefy gelatin actively 

 while the red cocci as a rule do not. The 

 bacilli are facultative anaerobes, the cocci axe 

 almost strict aerobes. 



The ability on the part of B. aerogenes to 

 fix nitrogen was reported by Lohnis' who 

 studied the behavior of a considerable number 

 of bacteria in this respect. 



In conclusion I grant that my thesis has 

 not been proved. ISTeither has it been dis- 

 proved. If it stimulates investigation along 

 these lines the paper will have been justified. 

 I. J. Kliglee 



ORGANIC CHEMICALS FOR RESEARCH, OR THE 

 NEED OF A PHILANTHROPIST 



Professor Eoger Adams has recently pub- 

 lished in these columris^ an account of the 

 admirable work which the laboratory of or- 



*Land Jahr. der Schweitz, 1906, 510. 



B Cent. f. Bdkt., II. Abt., 1895, I., 257. 



e Cent. f. Bakt., II. Abt., 1907, XIX., 87. 



1 Science, 47, pp. 225-228, Maxell 8, 1918. 



ganic chemistry at the University of Illinois 

 is doing to keep up the supply of certain or- 

 ganic chemicals for research and industrial 

 needs. However, when one compares the lim- 

 ited list which that laboratory is manufactur- 

 ing with the lists in the catalogues of German 

 chemical firms, the realization comes home that 

 the rarer organic preparations are no longer 

 available and probably will not be available 

 as long as the war lasts, and that, unless some 

 measure is taken to prevent such an occur- 

 rence, Germany will again regain her trade in 

 this line after the war. 



It is well enough to say that we will not use 

 German-made goods, but there would appear 

 to be only one alternative, i. e., the cessation, 

 or at least the slowing up of research in or- 

 ganic chemistry if these essential starting 

 materials are not available, or if they are 

 available at relatively enormous prices. 



The question therefore arises in my mind: 

 " Why can not some man of wealth make his 

 name blessed by endowing a laboratory which 

 shall prepare these rarer organic chemicals 

 against the needs of research work ? " Un- 

 doubtedly the German supply houses sold 

 many of these products at a loss before the 

 war, counting the loss as a necessary part of 

 their advertising propaganda, which was meant 

 to build up the idea that Germany was the 

 great chemical center of the world. Our com- 

 mercial firms, unfortunately, do not see things 

 in that light, and usually refuse to follow 

 paths where a sure and handsome profit does 

 not lead them. 



If some man of wealth can not be found 

 to whom this suggestion would appeal, what 

 is there to prevent one of our research 

 foundations from supplying the need? How 

 cotdd research and discovery be better fur- 

 thered in this particular field of science than 

 by furnishing the essential basic materials 

 to a host of research workers in our col- 

 leges and universities? If such a plan as is 

 herein proposed were adopted the United 

 States would without doubt secure and retain 

 first rank in the field of organic research. The 

 initial cost would be comparatively small as 

 measured by the scientific results, for the in- 



