136 The American Naturalist. [ February, 
(e) Development of Odors.—As already stated, there is a 
strong odor of butyric acid in the first stage of the rot, and sub- 
sequently other bad odors appear. The latter are due to 
ammonia, methylamin, and especially trimethylamin. The 
existence of the amin bases was determined as follows. Methy- 
lamin was found by taking a little of the thoroughly rotted 
tissue, mixing it with water, filtering, and mixing the filtrate 
with platinous chloride, whereupon there resulted a green pre- 
cipitate, PtCl, 2CH, NH,. Trimethylamin was detected by 
adding to a second part of the filtrate acid (salzsaures) platinic 
chloride, the resulting orange precipitate consisting only of the 
well developed octahedrons of the corresponding platinie 
double salt. The formation of these amin bases is attributed 
to the action of the bacillus on the nitrogenous part of the sub- 
stratum. They were also detected by the same methods in the 
above mentioned mineral solution containing 5 per cent pep- 
tone, and consequently must have been derived from the pep- 
tone. These substances may also be detected in old pure 
cultures of this bacillus in peptone nutrient gelatin. 
(f) Enzymes—No mention is made of any study of these 
bodies. The organism undoubtedly produces several since it 
is capable not only of peptonizing gelatin and of dissolving 
cellulose but also of attacking albuminoids. Starch is but 
little affected. 
-~ (g) Other Products—See Biology 10e. 
(11) Effect of Dessication—No statement. Probably not 
readily injured by dry air. Forms spores. 
(12) Thermal Relations : 
(a) Maximum for Growth—Not determined. 
(b) Optimum for Growth—Not determined. This germ 
grows well at 25° C., and at 35° C., apparently most rapidly at 
the latter temperature. 
(c) Minimum for Growth.—Not determined. 
(a) Death Point.—Not determined. 
(13) Relation to Light——No statement. 
(14) Vitality on Various Media.—No statement. The organ- 
ism forms spores. 
