850 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



epidermis, and gives an illustrated account of sucli parasites as he has 

 observed. The parts of the body covered with hair are the most 

 favourable localities for the growth of these organisms, of which 

 three different kinds were noted. (1) Round cells, composed of a 

 thick membrane, enclosing a homogeneous non-nucleated mass, which 

 closely resembles a Saccharomyces, and may be termed S. sphserica. 

 (2) Oval cells, smaller and paler than the preceding, which are named 

 S. ovalis. (3) Micrococci and Bacteria ; these latter abound in all 

 parts of -the body, and characteristic forms aro found in different 

 regions, being associated with local pathological conditions. 



Systematic Position of the Bacteria.* — In a review of recent 

 works on Bacteria, Dr. C. Fisch shows that the assignment of the 

 Schizomycetes to the Fungi does not rest on a sound morphological 

 basis, the physiological resemblance in the absence of chlorophyll not 

 being sufficient of itself to show a genetic affinity. The history of 

 development furnishes conclusive evidence against the Schizomycetes 

 being connected with the Fungi phylogenetically, either as an early 

 form of development or as the result of retrogression. The nearest 

 affinity of the Bacteria lies unquestionably with certain green 

 organisms, Nostoc, Oscillaria, &c., included under the Schizophyceaa 

 or CyanophycesB ; and these form together a natural group of Schizo- 

 phyta, with no close affinity to any group of Fungi. According to 

 our present state of knowledge the Schizophyta must be regarded as 

 displaying the nearest genetic affinity with the Flagellata. 



Influence of Oxygen on Fermentation by Schizomycetes.f — 

 Herr E. Buchner has experimented on the effect produced by free 

 oxygen on the energy of the fermentation caused by the so-called 

 " glycerin-ethyl-bacterium," Bacterium Fiiz, distinguished by its very 

 energetic fermentation of glycerin, chiefly into ethyl-alcohol, together 

 with volatile and stable acids, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. Three 

 cultures of this ferment were prepared, one of which was retained as a 

 control experiment, while through the other two streams of oxygen 

 and hydrogen respectively were passed. After twenty-nine hours the 

 fluid through which the oxygen had been passed was considerably 

 more turbid than the two others. Microscopical examination showed 

 the following results. The multiplication of Bacterium Fitz is pro- 

 moted to an extraordinary degree by the presence of free oxygen. In 

 cultures of the same extent and in the same time, the quantity of 

 glycerin fermented is increased. "Whether oxygen or hydrogen is 

 passed through the culture, the formation of carbon dioxide given off 

 remains nearly the same in proportion to the amount of glycerin fer- 

 mented. The fermenting power of the individual Schizomycete is 

 diminished by the presence of free oxygen. 



Cholera Bacillus. — Mr. W. W. Cheyne gives t the results of his 

 investigations at Paris during the epidemic of cholera, and afterwards 



* Biol. Centralbl., v. (1885) pp. 97-102. 



t SB. Bot. Ver. MuDchen, Jan. 14, 1885. See Bot. Centralbl., xxi. (1885) 

 pp. 348 and 385. 



X Brit. Med. Journ., 1885, April 25-May 23. 



