THE IMMUNOLOGICAL SPECIFICITY OF STAPHYLOCOCCI : II. THE CHEMICAL NATURE OF THE SOLUBLE SPECIFIC SUBSTANCES.

1. Two carbohydrates have been extracted from different strains of Staphylococcus which are immunologically and chemically distinct. 2. The chemical differences between the two types are manifested principally in optical rotation, and in the simple sugars resulting from hydrolytic cleavage of the specific carbohydrates. 3. The immunological specificity of both polysaccharides is dissipated as hydrolysis proceeds. 4. The results of the chemical reactions reported are discussed.