________________
88
J. C. Sikdar
general similarity of structure, the classification of bacteria usually depends on physiological or biochemical characters rather than morphologic ones. There are rodlike forms called bacilli, spherical form, called cocci, and spiral forms. The bacilli may occur as single rods or as in the bacillus causing anthrax, as long chains of rods joined together. Diphtheria, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and leprosy are all caused by bacilli. The spherical forms occuar singly in some species; in groups of two (e. g. the gonococcus, the agent causing gonorrhea ); in tong chains ( spherical bacteria which exist in long chains are called streptococci) ; or in irregular clumps, resembling bunches of grapes (spherical bacteria which occur in such clumps are called staphylococci). There are two types of spiral forms; the spirilla, which are less coiled and sometimes resemble a comma (the one causing cholera looks like this); and the spirochetes, which are highly coiled and resemble a corkscrew. The ruost widely known of the latter is the one causing syphilis."'11
Reproduction of Bacteria.
Bacteria-earth quadrates and bacterla in plants reproduce asexually ( samürcchima12 ). It is stated in the Jaina Agamasis that “Some beings are born in trees and grow in trees that are originated by trees, come forth as their roots, bulbs, stems, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds."14
"Some beings are born in earths and grow in earth particles that are the origin of various things and come forth as Kuhana.''15
" Some beings are born in water, grow in particles of water that are the origion of various things and come forth as paņaga (fungus ), sevāla ( algae ), etc."16
It bas already been pointed out that numerable, innumerable and infinite bacteria inhabit the roots, bulbs, stems, branches, twigs, leaves,
11 Biology, p. 132 12 Acāränga sūtra, I 1.81. Sütyakytaiga, 1.7.1. A 13 Satıā rukklajoniyā rukkhasambhavā... sukkhesu mūlattāc kamdattäe khamdatiae tayattäe sälattāe pavālattāe patiattāe pupphattae phalattae biyattāe viuttaṁti 1'
Stilrakytānga 11.3.46. 14 SBE. XLV. 11.3.5, p. 320.
one soul, jiva, pervades the whole tree; it is the soul of the tree, separate souls (jivas), however, reside in the roots, etc. as bacteria,
15 'Sattā pudhavijoniya.. kūhanattāe ctc.' 1 Sūtrakytānga, 11.3.54. 16 "Satta udagajoniya panagattāe sevālattae, etc.' 1, Ibid.
