The morphology, cell structure, and taxonomic affinities of the Moraxella.

Difficulties were encountered in the identification of at gram negative, encapsulated coccobacillus (strain 1297) that prloduced oxidase positive mueoid colonies. Final identification as a mucoid variant of Moraxella non liquefaciens was not achieved until Henriksen's helpful paper was published (1952) and strains were exchanged with him. The peculiarities of structure and arrangement, as well as the favorably large cells, deman(le(d a comparative study of the species of Moraxella and of organisms that maybe related to that genus. Lwoff (1939) propose(d the ereation of a new genus, Moraxella, to includle the organisms classifie(d at that time as IHenophilus duplex and also some apparent relatives. He suggested that this genus should be separated from the Hemophileae because the organisms were morphologicallydissimilat and (lid not r-equire hematin oI plhosphopyIidine nueleotide as growth factors. These proposals w-ere supported and exten(le(l by Audureau (1940). Although the new genuts was aceepted in Bergey's Manual (Breed et al., 1948), it wal1s retained in the tribe Hemtiophileae. Wse have included a morphological comparison with Hemophil'us species because of these classificatory associations and because strain 1297 (but none of the others) showed some requirement for henmatiin on primary isolation. Consideration is given also to Henriksen's opinion (1952) that Moraxella and Neisseria share mani characteristics.