ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICKOSCOPY, ETC. 
411 
parasite is distinguished by the absence of the comma form, and by its 
own characteristics ; hence the author considers it to be a now species, 
and calls it Spirochseta anserina. Pathologically it approximates to 
Sp. Obermeieri, and, like the latter, is not cultivable, but can be success- 
fully inoculated on geese, while the attempts on pigeons failed, and 
those on fowls were doubtful. 
Report on the Progress and Improvements in Bacteriological 
Methods since 1887.* — In a long drawn out and sketchy review of the 
numerous advances and improvements made in the various branches of 
bacteriological research. Dr. L. Heim alludes to the new methods which 
have been devised since Unua in 1887 performed a similar task of criticizing 
seriatim the various procedures then in vogue and appraising their value. 
Reports of this nature are valuable, because they mass together in a 
small compass a diffused collection of matter which is otherwise difficult 
of discovery, and also pass an opinion on the merits of the methods 
alluded to. 
The article in question not only gives information as to the novelties 
and improvements in methods for demonstrating micro-organisms, their 
cultivation, the preparation of the nutrient media, alterations and modi- 
fications in the apparatus and instruments requisite for bacteriological 
research, but notices also the requirements for museums and for the 
equipment of expeditions, the methods for demonstrating and obtaining 
the products of bacterial metabolism, and those relative to the prevention 
and destruction of bacteria by chemical agents and by heat. 
The more important and suggestive methods for the staining and 
cultivating of micro-organisms, for preparing nutrient media, and also 
the modifications and improvements in apparatus, have already been 
noticed in this Journal. 
Koch’s Annual of Fermentation Organisms.! — The first number of a 
new work devoted to the progress made in the knowledge of fermenta- 
tion organisms has been issued under the direction of Dr. A. Koch — a 
sufficient guarantee that the Annual will contain all that is important. 
From the rapid advances and the increasing interest taken in ferments 
and fermentation organisms, it is obvious that a yearly summary of the 
work done is not only desirable but necessary. 
The new Annual refers to text books, methods of research and 
examination, morphology of bacteria and yeasts, the various special 
fermentations, the much scattered literature of ferments and luminous 
bacteria. 
Mace’s Bacteriology.! — The second edition of this excellent prac- 
tical treatise on Bacteriology shows that its author tries to keep up with 
the ever advancing mass of facts daily brought to light in the study 
of micro-organisms. The present edition, revised throughout and much 
enlarged, contains 740 pages, and is illustrated by 201 figures, some of 
which are coloured. 
After a short, too short, introduction touching the history, the place 
in nature, and the origin of bacteria, the work is divided into three 
* Centralbl. f. FSakteriol. u. Parasitenk., x. (3891) Nos. 8-16. 
+ Brunswick, 1890, 8vo, 190 pp. See But. Ztg., xlix. (1891) p. 818. 
X 1 Traite pratique de Bacte'riologie,’ par E. Mace', Paris, 1892. 
