( 205 ) 



Y£. — On Some unusual Forms of Lactic Ferment — Bacterium 

 lactis. By E. L. Maddox, M.D., Hon. F.E.M.S. 



(^Read lAth January, 1885.) 



The different appearances which some of the Schizomycetes assume 

 under variable conditions, such as excess or deficiency of proper 

 nutriment and air, or from improper food, temperature, and 

 possibly unrecognized circumstances, are in themselves exceedingly 

 interesting, especially so, as when fully known, they are likely to 

 diminish the number of described species. It is therefore of some 

 importance to note such varieties in form as happen to be found in 

 the examination of normal cultures, for they may be significant of 

 such changes in the life-history of the individuals as portend either 

 an increased vegetative, generative, or degenerative act. This pleo- 

 morphism of some of the well-recognized forms has already led to 

 a different classification, which I suppose we may simply term " the 

 reduction of nature to the scale of our own intelligence," and which 

 may not be "the expression of the Divine veracity in nature." 

 Unfortunately it too often happens that the alteration of the form 

 visible under the Microscope cannot be accompanied by any definite 

 statement of the changed conditions which have led to the variation 

 of form, for the normal and abnormal, as in the present case, are 

 found together ; hence I am inclined to regard the latter as tending 

 rather to a higher than to a lower phase. There is great difficulty 

 in deciding this question with our present knowledge. As I have 

 not seen in any publication figures quite similar to those which 

 accompany this short notice, I consider it may be useful to record 

 them. The drawings are made from my original negative photo- 

 micrographs which are magnified 460 diameters, by aid of a low 

 power and the camera lucida, reaching to lOSO diameters; hence 

 they do not represent the ordinary dull grey appearance of the 

 organism as seen under the Microscope. 



The lactic ferment or Bacterium lactis may be described as 

 an elongated sphere in its simple or coccoid form, which in 

 growth soon becomes lengthened, then contracted in the middle 

 much like the links in solid chain work. These divide and form 

 filamentous chains of very variable lengths. The size of an indivi- 

 dual article or joint is generally stated at ' 5 or • 6 //,, the breadth 

 being less. Most of the chains present nothing of moment ; 

 others show the different articles or joints increased much in size 

 in different parts of the chain in an irregular manner, fig. 43 (1) ; 

 whilst in others some of the articles have become more or less 

 globular and very enlarged ; this is particularly the case with two 

 cells united by a very narrow bridge occurring in the middle of a 

 short chain (2); in others the tendency to the round shape is 



