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Discuss the use of Bergey's Manual as a tool of classification. Of identification.

Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology is a manual that deals with the identification of bacteria. It has been published in 9 editions, with the first eight editions published under the name ‘Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology’. In the 9th edition, it was renamed as ‘Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology’ and was published in four volumes in 1984, 1986, 1989 and 1991. The manual classifies bacteria on the basis of their functional and structural attributes and arranges the organisms into familial orders. In recent years, empirical evidence has also been considered in this classification.

Bergey’s Manual is used as an aid in the identification and classification of bacteria. It provides identification schemes based on such criteria as cell wall composition, morphology, differential staining, oxygen requirement, and biochemical testing. The manual does not classify bacteria according to evolutionary relatedness but provides identification schemes.

In summary, Bergey’s Manual is a useful tool for identifying and classifying bacteria based on their functional and structural attributes. It has been continuously updated with successive editions and helps in bacterial taxonomy and research.