Crystalline quartz has a certain characteristic which is fundamental to the experiments which we have performed. It is piezo active. Wood and Loomis have described an apparatus which we have utilized with certain modifications and which gives rise to the piezo effect. With this apparatus we have conducted certain experiments dealing with the killing effect of this source of energy upon bacteria and yeasts.' Wood and Loomis (1927) have demonstrated that ultrasonic radiation can disrupt certain higher forms of life. Williams and Gaines (1930) have shown germicidal effect of this wave motion but they used much lower frequency than that which we have applied. Harvey and Loomis (1929) demonstrated the death of luminous bacteria within 1 and 11 hours when treated by this energy. Chambers and Flosdorf (1936) have utilized a low frequency for extraction of certain fractions of the bacterial body. The reader is referred to the description of Wood and Loomis for an understanding of the principles involved and of the circuit utilized. We departed from their type in certain respects, as follows. The generator consisted of a circular cast-bronze housing of approximately 20 cm. diameter at the bottom and curved inward to 10 cm. in diameter at the top. One side was grounded. The bottom of this container was of plate glass and upon it was supported a flat-topped mushroom-shaped electrode upon which 361 JOU=AL 01 RAC Y, vo 32, x0. 4

The termite thrives in an environment which is most unusual and which requires specialized adaptation for survival. Its galleries are largely cellulose as also is its diet. Relatively little combined nitrogen is found in its food other than that derived from consumption of fecal materials of its fellows. That sector of the nitrogen cycle which includes the metabolism of the termite is as yet unexplored.It is probable that the energ)-requirements of the termite are derived from the destruction of cellulose. In addition to the energy required by the animal for its ordinary life processes an additional large amount must be available should it develop that there is any fixation of nitrogen connected with its metabolism. The question of cellulose splitting within the gut of the termite thus is of fundamental importance.Cellulose digestion is not unknown among the invertebrates. Miller and Boynton' have demonstrated the appearance of glucose within the gut of Bankia, the Northwest shipworm. Werner2 has shown that the digestion of cellulose within the intestine of Potosia cwp-ea, the rose chafer, is bacterial in character. Cleveland," however, believes that the enormous numbers of bacteria found within the gut of the termite have no function as cellulose splitters within the intestinal canal of ReticuIoterines fravipes, and his series is reported to have included at least 100 individuals.Inasmuch as opportunity presented itself, through the courtesy of Dr. S. F. Light, to obtain termites from a variety of sources and of a number of different genera, we decided to make a further attempt to demonstrate the splitting of cellulose by bacteria derived from termite gut content. The technique was that usually followed in soil bacteriology. Flasks were prepared containing medium of the following formula : K,HPO,-1 gm. ; MgS0,-1 gm. ; Na,COa -1 gm.; (NH,),SO,-Z gm.: CaC0,--2 gm.; tap water 1OOOcc. A 2-inch 'circle of filter paper was added to each flask and the material then was autoclaved.

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