MAASSEN, 1908. 83 
when the latter species predominated the odor was likened to that of 
sour paste. In samples from two apiaries Maassen failed to find 
Bacillus alvei, but found Streptococcus apis in large numbers. The 
two cases in which Bacillus alver was absent were suspected of being 
the sour brood referred to by Burri (p. 68). Maassen was inclined to 
believe that the latter condition is more widespread in Switzerland 
than in Germany. In 41 samples of the 51 containing Bacillus alver, 
the species was accompanied by Streptococcus apis. The relative 
number of Bacillus alvei and Streptococcus apis varied. 
The ‘‘guntheri-forms’’ mentioned in Burri’s paper (p. 69) are very 
probably the species to which the name Streptococcus apis Maassen 
has been applied. Maassen expresses a similar belief. The following 
description of Streptococcus apis is an abbreviation of the one by 
Maassen. 
Occurrence.—This species is found in “‘foul brood,” occurring most 
frequently in that form in which the larve when attacked are 
uncapped. 
Morphology.—Iin form it is not perfectly spherical but is a lancet- 
like, pointed coccus that appears as either a Diplococcus or a Strep- 
tococcus in the body of the larve as well as in artificial media. A 
capsule is present. 
Gram’s staan.—The organism is not decolorized by gram’s method. 
Oxygen requirements.—It grows aérobically as well as anaérobically. 
Bouillon.—The medium becomes at first turbid, and later a deposit 
forms at the bottom of the tube. Reaction is but little changed. 
Glucose, lactose, saccharose, galactose, levulose, and mannite bouil- 
lons.—Increased growth takes place in these bouillons with the for- 
mation of acid. 
Agar slant.—A thin iridescent growth takes place. The conden- 
sation water is clouded with a sediment present. 
Blood serum.—There is a perceptible growth. The colonies are 
droplike. No liquefaction of the medium takes place. 
Potato—The organism grows well on this medium. 
Milk.—Growth takes place rapidly. After 24 hours the casein is 
coagulated and later some of the coagulum peptonizes. 
Gelatin.—After about 40 hours at 20° C. a whitish-gray growth is 
observed with a beginning liquefaction of the aug ut 
Indol_——Indol is not formed. 
Nitrates —Nitrates remain unchanged. 
Disinfectants —This species proved very resistant to drying. After 
three-fourths of a year of drying the organism was not dead. 
Burri (p. 70) met with some difficulty in the cultivation of the 
species to which he referred as the giintheri-forms. In a few cases, 
Maassen apparently had some difficulty also with his Streptococcus 
apis, but in most cases no difficulty was encountered. The difficulty, 
