The Bacteriology of Surface Waters in the Tropics.

Abstract

To water bacteriologists this will prove an interesting treatise. The natural conditions in the tropics are so different from those in colder climates that important differences in the bacterial content of surface waters would be expected. The author has made the most thorough study of tropical conditions in this respect that has ever been undertaken. There are many details of technical interest, one of Major Clemesha's most important conclusions relating to the variation in resistance of different varieties of the<i>Bacillus coli</i>type under aquatic conditions. The non-dulcite fermenting forms, for example are classed by the author as not indicative of recent pollution. On the other hand, the typical<i>B. coli</i>, fermenting dextrose, lactose and dulcite but not saccharose, dies off so rapidly in water that its presence is thought to be a particularly good index of contamination. The book, as a whole, contains information of great value to the