The, Bacteria of Septicoemia. Bij G. F. Dowdeswell. 313 



which they occur, has recently been the subject of experiment in 

 Grermany ; I shall only say with regard to this that on investi- 

 gating this question, it appears to me clear that the Bacterium 

 does constitute the specific virus, the actual contagium of the 

 affection. 



The importance of the relations of these microphytes to disease, 

 and indeed their role in the whole economy of nature is now so 

 generally acknowledged that it is unnecessary to dwell upon it. 

 It is only quite recently that the subject has been systematically 

 developed, and already most valuable results have been attained, 

 some of which, in regard to a most important practical application, 

 viz. to tubercular disease, have only been communicated during the 

 last month, and demonstrated in this College in the present week. 

 It is by the microscopical examination of the organisms and the 

 determination of their specific morphological characters alone, that 

 many of the most weighty questions which present themselves can 

 be determined. There is no field of microscopical research which 

 requires more care or better optical appliances than these organisms, 

 and none more worthy the attention of microscopists. 



Ser. 2.— Vol. II. 



