546 



STARCHES OF LILIACE^. 



NOTES ON THE STARCHES OF SCILLA. 



The three starches examined, while showing the same gross microscopical characteristics, 

 exhibit certain individualities which are of value on their differentiation. Thus, in S. sibirica and 

 S. bifolia the grains, on the whole, are very much smaller than those of S. peruviana. In S. peru- 

 viana the grains are not onlj' particularly noticeable because of the comparative size, but also because 

 of the marked fissuration and lamellation. S. bifolia, in comparison with the other two, is partic- 

 ularly distinguished by the relative abundance of the elliptical type of grain and the tendency to 

 greater irregularity of outline. The reactions show no important variations except with Purdy's 

 solution. In temperatm-es of gelatinization the extreme difference is 1.25. On the whole, S. sibirica 

 and S. bifolia closely correspond in their reactions. 



GENUS CHIONODOXA. 



This very small genus of bulbous plants, all of which are natives of Crete and Asia Minor, is 

 closely allied, as noted under Scilla, to a number of genera represented in this research. The starches 

 from C. lucilice Boiss., C. tmolusi, Hort., and C. sardensis Hort. were examined. C. lucilice is popu- 

 larly known as the glory-of-the-snow, and is probably the only true species of the three, the second 

 and probably the third kintl named being regarded as forms of the first. 



STARCH OF CHIONODOXA LUCILICE. (Plate 36, figa. 211 and 212. Chart 144.) 



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

 except a very few clumps. The smaller grains show some tendency to atlhere to the larger ones. 

 No pressure facets were observed. The siu'face of the grains is usually irregular, owing to unequal 

 development of certain parts in the form of rounded protuberances and nipple-like projections, and 

 in some cases to accretions added to a primary grain. 

 The conspicuous forms are ovoid, bean-shaped or renif orm, 

 lenticular, and clam-shell type; also pyriform, round, 

 eUiptical, triangular, irregularly quadrangular, and vari- 

 ous irregular forms. The grains are somewhat flattened, 

 and when seen on edge appear narrower at the distal end 

 than at the proximal. 



The hiluni is a comparatively small, rather indistinct 

 round spot, eccentric from one-fifth to two-fifths of the 

 longitudinal axis of the grain and either in or to one side 

 of the median line. There may be double or multiple hila. 

 The hilum may be fissured, in which case the fissure usu- 

 ally takes the form of a well-marked, clear-cut cross; or a 

 transverse fissure may appear that is either clean-cut or 

 ragged; or a 3-armed fissure. Fissures may also partially 

 separate dual or multiple hila from one another, and one 

 or all of the hila may be fissured. 



The lamelloe are fairly distinct, rather coarse, regular 

 or irregular continuous rings which follow closelj' the out- 

 line of the margin, except when the latter is distorted by 



accretions. There are usually two sets, one composing an area about the hilum which is often quite 

 prominent and sometimes appears to be raised, and the other extending between this and the margin. 

 They are usually more distinct near the margin. There are 7 to 12 on a medium-sized grain. 



The grains vary in size from 4 to 64/j. The common size is 34/u. 



Polariscopic Properties. The figure is usually eccentric and distinct, but as a rule not clear- 

 cut, and quite irregular. Its lines are often much bent and distorted and almost always broader 

 and less distinct at the margin. 



The degree of polarization is fairly high, varying somewhat in the different grains and also 

 in the same aspect of a given grain. 



With selenite the quadrants are usually not clear-cut, are very irregular in shape, and unequal 

 in size. The colors are fairly pure. 



Iodine Reactions. With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solution the grains are colored a deep blue- 

 violet; with 0.125 per cent solution they color quite deeply. After heating until the grains are all 



Curve of Reaction-lntensitiea of Starch of 

 Chionodoxa lucitis. 



