GENUS FRITILLARIA. 



503 



little migclatinized starch left at the ilistal end. Some of them are swollen more in the longitudinal 

 than in the transverse axis, while in others the opposite is noted. The process is so very rapid that 

 details can not be observed. 



STARCH OF FRITILLARIA AUREA. (Plate 26, figs. 151 and 152. Chart 115.) 



Histological Characteristics. In form the grains are almost wliolly simple and isolated, except 

 a few in aggregates in the form of doublets and triplets. Compounds are noted rarely. Pressure 

 facets are observed at the distal end of a few of the gi'ains. The surface of the grains is, as a rule, 

 more or less irregular. Some irregularities occur in the form of protuberances from the sides and 

 ends, particularly the proximal end, and also some slighter irregularities. The conspicuous forms 

 are the triangular with curved base and rounded angles, pjTiform, and elliptical; also, rod-shaped, 

 ovoid, nearlj^ roimd, and clam-shell-shaped. The small grains, which are not numerous in this 

 specimen, are usually rod-shaped, round, oval, or pyriform. 



The hilum is a small, round, not very distinct spot or cavity, usually eccentric from one-third 

 to one-fifth, in most grains one-fifth, of the longitudinal axis. Sometimes 2 hila appear in a single 

 grain. In addition to the cavity, the hilum is sometimes fissured in a single line, rather long but 

 straight, or doubly curved, one curve on each side of the central point. 



The larnelloe are usually fairly distinct, fine, regular circles or segments of circles, varying in 

 distinctness in different grains and in size and distinctness in different parts of the same grains, 

 being not so fine but more distinct near the distal end 

 than near the hilum. The number was not estimated. 



The grains varj- in size; the smaller are 6 Ijy 6ju; the 

 larger elongated are 52 bj' 40yu ; the broader are 44 by 44yu 

 in length and breadth. The common size is 34 by 32/i. 



Polariscopic Properties. The figure is eccentric, dis- 

 tinct, but not clear-cut. Some of its lines are broadened 

 and not clearly outlined for at least a part of their length; 

 sometimes also bisected, and even further divided, fre- 

 quently bent, and of variable width. 



The degree of polarization is fairly high, varying 

 somewhat in different grains and in different aspects of 

 the same grain, l^eing highest when the grain is viewed 

 on end or edge. It varies also sometimes in different 

 parts of the same aspect of a grain, often being not so 

 high near the distal end as near the proximal end. It is 

 higher than that of the grains of F. mcleagris. 



With selenite the quadrants are usually not very well 

 defined, and are regular or irregular in shape and unequal 

 in size. The colors are generally fairly pure. 



Iodine Reactions. With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solution the grains all color a fairly deep blue- 

 violet; with 0.125 per cent solution they color rather lightly and the color deepens fairly rapidly. 

 It is less than that of the grains of F. meleagris. After heating in water until all the grains are com- 

 pletely gelatinized, the solution colors fairly and the gelatinized grains deeply on the addition of 

 iodine. After boiling for 2 minutes the solution colors deeply and most of the grain-residues fairly. 

 The capsules all color a violet with an excess of iodine. 



Staining Reactions.- With gentian inolet and ^^dth safranin the grains stain very faintly at once 

 and in 30 minutes they are still only slightly colored. The stain is not so much as that of the grains 

 of F. meleagris. 



Temperature Reaction. The temperature of gelatinization is 61.5 to 64 C, mean 62.75. 



Effects oj Various Reagents. With chloral hydrate-iodine the grains begin to react at once. 

 Some are completely gelatinized in Ij^ minutes and all in 10 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively 

 the same as the grains of F. meleagris. The knob-like protuberances at the proximal end more often 

 appear sooner than similar formations at the corners limiting the distal margin, or at the distal 

 margin, than in the grains of F. meleagris. 



With chromic acid the grains begin to react at once. Some are dissolved in 15 seconds and all 

 in 25 seconds. The reaction is qualitatively the same as in F. meleagris. 

 34 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of 

 Fritillaria aurca. 



