sarcina

n. family of anaerobic spherical bacteria which feeds on dead or decaying matter

Sarcina is a Latin word meaning a marching pack as carried by Roman Legionaries, the heavy infantry of the Roman legions.Most of a legionary's equipment other than his arms and armour would, in early times, have been consigned to a baggage train and borne by mules and carts. Image of pack donkey on a Greek wine cup circa 480 BC, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.However, following the reforms of the Roman General Gaius Marius, the soldiers were expected to carry much of their rations and equipment themselves. This was done to reduce the size of the baggage train and increase the mobility of the army by allowing the soldiers to move strategically (i.e. quickly) independently of the train. Such was the load of the soldiers that they became known as Marius' Mules.
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Sarcina /Sar·ci·na/ a genus of bacteria found in soil and water as saprophytes. Sar·ci·na n. A genus of anaerobic gram-positive bacteria including [more]Sarcina - Community and Resources

(n.)
A genus of bacteria found in various organic fluids, especially in those those of the stomach, associated with certain diseases. The individual organisms undergo division along two perpendicular partitions, so that multiplication takes place in two directions, giving groups of four cubical cells. Also used adjectively; as, a sarcina micrococcus; a sarcina group.
  

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pack| bundle| soldier's kit; baggage (pl.)| belongings| chattles; load| burden