CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF SOIL. 765 



dichotoma was very constantly present, being seldom absent from any plate which could 

 be preserved sufficiently long to allow it to produce the characteristic brown coloration in 

 the nutrient medium surrounding it. In the cultivations from undisturbed ground in 

 Grange Cemetery, samples 1, 2, 3, and 4, Cladothrix dichotoma was present in very 

 large numbers, especially in the 4 feet 6 inches sample. 



The facultative anaerobic bacteria Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus gasoformans were 

 very common in polluted soils at all depths, although Protean forms were almost 

 entirely absent from the four samples of virgin soil which I examined. 



In sample 11, being a sample taken from the immediate vicinity of a coffin, and in 

 sample 20, which was of a similar nature, both Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus gasoformans 

 were exceptionally numerous, both on the aerobic plates and in the anaerobic tubes. 

 Whether or not this was a mere coincidence I have been unable to determine, as I have 

 never since been able to obtain samples of a similar nature. It would seem, however, 

 that in such positions these organisms are specially abundant, finding a fit nidus for 

 their multiplication, and probably take an active part in producing the changes which 

 bring about the resolution of the cadaver into simpler elements. In any case, one cannot 

 but be struck by the constant occurrence in polluted soils of Proteus, whereas in virgin 

 soils I found it comparatively rarely. 



Bacillus candicans was met with in most samples, being very numerous in the more 

 superficial samples, though by no means confined to these. 



Bacillus subtilis, contrary to expectation, was only occasionally met with, while 

 Bacillus megaterium was recognised on only two occasions. On one of these occasions 

 it was found growing on the surface of worts-gelatine, thus showing its vitality under 

 adverse conditions, namely, growing on an acid medium. 



The chromogenic bacteria were by no means absent, Bacillus violaceus having been 

 present on three separate occasions, and at three different depths, viz., 3 feet, 3 feet 6 

 inches, and 8 feet. 



Bacillus Jluorescens liquefaciens was found once, but a non-liquefying fluorescent 

 bacillus was rather frequently present in the more superficial samples. 



Bacillus arborescens of Feankland was recognised on five occasions, while Bacillus 

 janthinus, Bacillus helvolus, Bacillus aurantiacus, and Bacillus prodigiosus were each 

 found once. 



Micrococci were few in number, six species being recognised. The most frequently 

 found was Micrococcus candicans, while Micrococcus Jlavus desidens was occasionally 

 met with. The others were not found at all often. 



No pathogenic organisms were discovered, but of course the temperature used for 

 incubation was not that most suitable for their development if present. 



Purely anaerobic forms were never recognised, but the facultative anaerobic organisms 

 Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus gasoformans were frequently met with under the conditions 

 before mentioned. Bacillus violaceus and Bacillus prodigiosus, belonging to the same 

 class, were also found. 



