XXVI. ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



of the subject the formation of antitoxines and the phen- 

 omenon of phagocytosis as bearing upon immunity was 

 briefly discussed. The micro-organisms of the industries 

 produce bye-products of commercial importance ; of these 

 alcohol is the most important and its production by yeasts 

 and moulds was described. Allusion was also made to the 

 yeasts as producers of gas in bread baking and in certain 

 aerated beverages. Then the alcohol consumers, the acetic 

 bacteria were mentioned. This led to the production of 

 other acids, especially lactic, the bacteria of which are 

 used in the tannery and the dairy. The importance of the 

 changes in the nitrogenous cycle — albumen, ammonia 

 nitrate, albumen — to the agriculturist and the parts played 

 in this cycle by bacteria were pointed out. A considera- 

 tion of the secondary cycle — nitrate, nitrogen, albumen — 

 introduced the question of the fixation of nitrogen. The 

 similarity of the changes that occur in the soil and the 

 aerobic treatment of waters and sewage was indicated, 

 and the prolongation of the disintegration of sewage matter 

 by storage in chambers before passing over the aerobic 

 filters brought the lecture to a conclusion. 



ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS, OCTOBER 8, 1902. 



The General Monthly Meeting of the Society was held 

 at the Society's House, No. 5 Elizabeth-street North, on 

 Wednesday evening, October 8th, 1902. 



Prof. Warren, m. inst. c.e., wh. sc„ President, in the Chair. 

 Forty-two members and one visitor were present. 

 The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and 

 confirmed. 



