150 Messrs. Fowler, Ardern, and Lockett. [Sept. 30, 
Nutrient Gelatine—Medium made by addition of 10 per cent. of gelatine 
to broth obtained as above. 
Diluted Broth Solution—Made either by the addition of about 10 ce. of 
broth culture to 500 cc. of sterile water and further incubation, or by 
inoculating a quantity of sterile water, containing a few cubic centimetres of 
“ broth,” with the organism. 
Special Medium.—This medium is similar to one used by Perey Frankland 
in his earlier experiments, and had the following composition :— 
In 1000 c.c. of water, with 
' 4 grammes of pure 
calcium carbonate in suspension. 
Potassium phosphate .................. 0°l gramme. 
Magnesium sulphate (cryst.) ...... 0:02: 
Calcium chloride (fused) ............ 0:01 Ny, 
Glucose Re ieees xs: cases saree ass 0°3 - 
Peptone:. iiararetes sii unease eee O25 9a is, 
Action of Pure Cultures on Phenol. 
The preliminary experiments made in connection with the action of each of 
the organisms on phenolic solutions were carried out in 40-oz. bottles, fitted 
with rubber stoppers, tubes, etc., and arranged in series in a similar manner 
to the preceding experiment. 
The procedure generally adopted was as follows:—To a sterile phenol 
solution (vol. 500 c.c.) containing 0-01 to 0°02 per cent. of phenol, a quantity 
of the culture of the particular organism under examination was added, the 
solution aérated and tested from time to time. 
The experiments throughout were conducted in such a manner as to 
prevent as far as possible any air or other infection. It was not supposed 
that the solutions were kept entirely free from infection, the extent of 
the contamination presumably increasing with the length of duration of 
experiment. | 
I. Action of Bacillus liquefaciens fluorescens on Phenol. 
Several experiments were made in connection with this organism. 
Generally a few cubic centimetres of liquefied gelatine containing the 
organisms were added to a pure phenol solution, and in one case to a 
solution of phenol with added nitrate and nitrite. Practically no change, 
however, was noted in the phenol content of these solutions after two 
months’ aération. | 
The numbers of organisms present at the commencement of experiments 
were several millions per cubic centimetre, and after two months a 
considerable number in active condition. were still to be found in the solutions. 
