Studies of Freshwater Bacteria

Abstract

Bacteria presenting the morphological characters of S. treubii and S. major were found on glass slides submerged in various lakes and streams. So many intermediate forms were encountered that it was considered impossible to separate these 2 spp. S. t. was present in all of the alkaline, hard water lakes of the drainage type, and absent in all of the neutral or acid soft water lakes of the seepage type. It was found abundantly in 2 rapidly flowing streams. S. t. is probably a heterotrophic organism utilizing the organic radicle of organic iron compounds and depositing the Fe as a waste product upon the capsules of the colonies.