106 CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BACTERIA 
Filaments, applied to morphology of bacteria, refers to thread-like forms, 
generally unsegmented; if segmented, to be distinguished from chains 
(q.v.) by the absence of constrictions between the segments. 
Filamentous, growth composed of long, irregularly placed or interwoven threads. 
Filiform, in stroke or stab cultures, a uniform growth along line of inoculation. 
Fimbriate, border fringed with slender processes, larger than filaments. 
Floccose, growth composed of short curved chains, variously oriented. 
Flocculent, containing small adherent masses of bacteria of various shapes 
floating in the culture fluid. 
Fluorescent, having one color by transmitted light and another by reflected light. 
Gram’s stain, a method of differential bleaching after gentian violet, methyl 
violet, etc. The + mark is to be given only when the bacteria are deep 
blue or remain blue after counter-staining with Bismarck brown. 
Grumose, clotted. 
Granular, composed of small granules. 
Infundibuliform, form of a funnel or inverted conc. 
Iridescent, exhibiting changing rainbow colors in reflected light. 
Lacerate, having the margin cut into irregular segments as if torn. 
Lobate, having the margin deeply undulate, producing lobes (see undulate). 
Long, many weeks or months. 
Luminous, glowing in the dark, phosphorescent. 
Maximum temperature, temperature above which growth does not take place. 
Medium, several weeks. 
Membranous, growth thin, coherent, like a membrane. 
Minimum temperature, temperature below which growth does not take place. 
Mycelioid, colonies having the radiately filamentous appearance of mold 
colonies. 
Napiform, liquefaction in form of a turnip. 
Nitrogen requirements, the necessary nitrogenous food. This is determined 
by adding to nitrogen-free media the nitrogen compound to be tested. 
Opalescent, resembling the color of an opal. 
Optimum temperature, temperature at which growth is most rapid. 
Papillate, growth beset with small nipple-like processes. 
Pellicle, bacterial growth forming either a continuous or an interrupted sheet 
over the culture fluid. 
Peptonization, rendering curdled milk soluble by the action of trypsin. 
Peritrichiate, covered with flagella over the entire surface. 
Persistent, lasting many weeks or months. 
Plumose, a fleecy or feathery growth. 
Polar, at the end or pole of the bacterial cell. 
Pseudozoogloes, clumps of bacteria, not dissolving readily in water, arising 
from imperfect separation, or more or less fusion of the components but 
not having the degree of compactness and gelatinization seen in zoogloce. 
Pulvinate, decidedly convex, in the form of a cushion. 
Punctiform, very small, but visible to naked eye; under 1 mm. in diameter. 
