50 Years Ago

Very few microbiologists would dispute that bacterial taxonomy is in a very confused state ... As if this were not enough, there has been added to it a cavalier indifference to the internationally accepted conventions for nomenclature on the part of bacteriologists themselves and an almost complete absence of type cultures ... For historical reasons the taxonomy of bacteria especially has been carried on as isolated fragments of other disciplines such as medicine or dairying, with the result that the same micro-organism has been known by a different name in each field, and not infrequently their identity has never been realized. Many taxonomic schemes have been devised but have been only cherished by their authors, while others such as Bergey's scheme have been tolerated with much vexation and disappointment for want of something better.

From Nature 16 July 1960.

100 Years Ago

Mr. H. O. Barnard states, as the result of personal observation, that the alleged partiality of cobras for music is a myth. “The sole effect, so far as I could see, was to arouse their curiosity, as they would project their heads out of their holes equally well for any kind of noise, from the shrill piping affected by snake-charmers down to the tinkling noise made by dragging a chain past their dwelling, or even that made by light and repeated tappings with a switch close to their holes. It would appear, however, that the tone must be high, as grave sounds, such as tom-tom beating or deep notes from a flute, had no effect upon them.” Mr. Barnard likewise confirms the observations, made in the London Zoological Gardens, as to the absence of a “fascinating” influence of serpents on birds.

From Nature 14 July 1910.