( 64 ) 
It is ajso possible that the decomposition takes place after the 
equation: 
C.H.N.O, + e H,0 = 3 CO, + CH.OHCOOH + 4 NH, 
Glycolic acid 
However I have as little been able with certainty to detect this 
acid 1 ), but then, here too, the possibility* exists that it is reduced to 
acetic acid through the influence of the bacteria, which point will 
be a subject for later inquiries. 
Summary. 
In the preceding it has been proved: 
\. That when uric acid is attacked by aerobic microbes this acid 
is transformed into carbonic acid and ammonia, whereas as inter¬ 
mediate products allantoin, urea and oxalic acid are formed. The 
bacteria causing this chemism may be divided into two groups: a 
flora of the feebly acid or neutral phase of the medium, to which 
belong B. fluorescens liquefaciens, B. fluorescens non liquefaciens 
and B. calco-aceticum; and a flora which develops in the culture 
liquid after it has become alkaline, and which consists of B. odoratum 
and B. Musculi. 
2. That B. pyocyaneus and B. Stutzeri with uric acid as carbon 
food, in presence of saltpeter, cause denitrification. 
3. That under absolutely anaerobic conditions uric acid may be 
fermented by the spore-forming Bacillus acidi urici n. sp., in which 
process ammonia, acetic acid, and 3 molecules of carbonic acid per 
molecule of decomposed uric acid are produced. 
Laboratory for Microbiology of the 
Technical University at Delft 
EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES. 
»g • Bacillus acidi urici. Magn. 720. (Zeiss. 2,5 niM. Proj.oe.2). Colony 
on broth-agar, coloured with carbol fuchsine. 
8 BaClUm Magn. 720. Colony on broth-agar, taken after life, 
order to And this acid I made the fermentation take place in a Chamberland- 
boagte qmte tmmersed in sterile water, so that the intermediate products might 
diduse m it; but it was of no avail. 
