ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
555 
ample material for the bacterial contamination of freshly added water. 
It is, however, reassuring to learn that in ordinary seltzer and soda-water 
cholera bacilli cannot live longer than three hours. Unfortunately, as 
regards typhoid infected water, we cannot rely with any degree of 
certainty on carbonated waters, unless we have proof that the manu- 
factured article has been stored for at least a fortnight before use. The 
practice of storing such waters before distribution was recommended 
many years ago by Duclaux, and in the absence of such preliminary 
precautions as the removal of all bacteria present by boiling, distillation, 
or efficient filtration, it would appear to be a measure of great hygienic 
importance. 
Fossil Bacteria.* — M. B. Renault has now determined the existence 
of bacteria at a still earlier geological period than any previously 
established, viz. in the Devonian. They are found in connection with 
the remains of Aporoxylon , and in two forms: — Micrococcus devonicus A, 
which has the effect of obliterating the punctations in that fossil wood; 
and M. devonicus B, which has destroyed the median membranes. They 
occur also in the remains of Kalimma and Stigmciria. 
Bacteriosis of Carnations.f — Prof. ,T. C. Arthur and Mr. H. L. 
Bolley trace this common disease to the attacks of a Schizomycete 
which they name Bacterium Bianthi. It enters the plant through the 
stomates or through punctures caused by insects. It appears usually to 
attack the garden carnation only, but can be transferred also to the 
wild form Bianthus Caryophyllus, and to other wild species of the genus, .. 
D. plumarius , japonicus, efiinensis, and barbatus , but not to plants 
belonging to other natural orders. 
Bacillus subtilis.t — According to Mr. A. J. Brown, Bacillus subtilis 
cannot grow on either wort or beer having a normal acidity. If the 
acidity be neutralised by the addition of calcium carbonate, a growth of 
this organism will readily occur, the growth in the neutralised beer 
being stronger than that in the wort. Bacillus subtilis was also grown in 
neutral hay infusion, to which 5 percent, of dextrose was added; but 
when, from the action of the bacillus on the sugar, the acidity reached 
0*04 per cent., the growth and action of the ferment entirely ceased. 
But by neutralising the acid formed by adding calcium carbonates, the 
growth and action continued until the whole of the sugar was decom- 
posed. The facts that B. subtilis is an aerobe and that the normal 
amount of acid present in wort and beer prevents its growth, show that 
this organism is not a source of danger to the brewer. 
Osteomyelitis caused by the Bacillus of Typhoid Fever.§ — Dr. C. 
Bruni records a case of osteomyelitis, the sequel of an attack of enteric 
fever. During convalescence the patient suffered from osteoperiostitis, 
and after a lapse of six years the tibia was trephined and pus evacuated 
from a cavity in the bone. From the pus was isolated the bacillus of 
typhoid fever. Great care was taken to identify the organism, which 
responded to the numerous cultural and other tests applied. The 
* Comptes Rendus, cxxii. (1896) pp. 1226-7. Cf. this Journal, ante, p. 344. 
f Bull. No. 59 Agric. Exp.-Stat. Purdue Univ., 38 pp. and 4 pis. 
X Journ. Fed. Inst. Brewing, i. (1895, pp. 423-6. See Journ. Chem. Soc., 1896, 
Abst., p. 321. § Ann. Inst. Pasteur, x. (1S06) pp. 220-7. 
2 q 2 
