416 Mrs. G. C. Frankland and Dr. P. F. Frankland. [Mar. 8, 



more irregular as they approach, the surface ; when liquefaction of 

 the gelatine commences, which only takes place excessively slowly, 

 convoluted bands of threads are seen to extend from the centre 

 towards the periphery. 



It grows with great difficulty in all the media employed with the 

 exception of the aqueous solution, in which it grows abundantly, but 

 does not convert the nitrate into nitrite. 



Bacillus liquidus. — This is a short fat bacillus of very variable 

 dimensions. In drop cultivations they are seen usually hanging 

 together in pairs, and exhibit great motility. 



It liquefies the gelatine, rapidly producing large circular depressions 

 with almost clear contents on gelatine plates. 



It produces a smooth shining expansion on agar-agar, and on 

 potatoes a thick flesh-coloured pigment. 



It reduces the nitrate powerfully in the aqueous solution em- 

 ployed. 



Bacillus vermicular is. — This is a large bacillus with rounded ends, 

 giving rise to extensive vermiform threads. It produces fine oval 

 spores. In drop crystallisations it exhibits oscillatory movement only. 



It powerfully reduces nitrates to nitrites. 



Bacillus nubilus. — This is a fine slender bacillus, which gives rise to 

 wavy threads. No spores were observed. In drop cultivations the 

 isolated bacilli exhibit violent circular movements with but little 

 motion of translation. 



On gelatine plates the growth is very characteristic, nothing being 

 visible but patches of cloudy expansions with, in some cases, a very 

 faintly- defined centre. The gelatine rapidly becomes softened, and 

 liquefaction soon follows. 



In gelatine-tubes the same characteristic cloudy appearance is 

 produced. Its growth in the aqueous solution described results in 

 the reduction of a very small proportion of the nitrate to nitrite. 



Bacillus ramosus. — This is a large bacillus much resembling B. sub- 

 tilis, giving rise to long threads and spores, which are, however, 

 rounder in shape than those of the latter organism. In drop cultiva- 

 tions the isolated bacilli exhibit very slight oscillatory movement. 



The colonies on the gelatine plates are seen to consist of a cloudy 

 centre with tangled root-like branches which extend in every direc- 

 tion. Later liquefaction of the gelatine takes place. 



In gelatine the whole of the tube becomes impregnated with fluffy 

 ramifications, later liquefaction takes place, and a tough pellicle forms 

 on the surface. 



When grown on potatoes, it forms a dry continuous surface 

 expansion which is almost quite white. 



It exerts a powerfully reducing action on nitrates in the solution 

 employed. 



