554 



STARCHES OF LILIACEjE. 



Differentiation of Certain Starches of the Genus Puschkinia. 



Histological Chakacteristics. 



Co7ispicuous Forms. 



P. scilloides: Usually simple, a few compound grains usu- 

 ally consisting of 1, 2, or 3 components; many 

 small aggregates of components similar to com- 

 pound grains; surface somewhat irregular. Ovoid 

 and oval with rounded ends or squared distal end 

 and broader at proximal end; triangular with 

 rounded cornera. Few poorly defined pressure 

 facets. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Essentially the same as in P. 

 scilloides, except a tendency to greater irregularity. 



Hilwn Form, Number, and Position. 

 P. scilloides: Form distinct, fairly large, round; single 



or multiple; often fissured; fissure short or long, 



narrow or broad, ragged or clean-cut. Position 



eccentric, usually 0.33 to 0.25. 

 P. scilloides var. libauotica: Form essentially the same as 



in P. scilloides. Position eccentric, usually 0.40 to 



0.25. 



Lamellce General Characteristics and Number. 

 P. scilloides: Fairly distinct, usually continuous, coarse, 



irregular; usually discontinuous near distal end. 



6 to 8 on larger grains. 

 P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Essentially the same as in 



P. scilloides. 12 to 14 on larger grains. 



Size. 

 P. scilloides: From 4 to 26m, commonly 15m. 

 P. scilloides var. hbanotica. From 3 to 30m, commonly 20m. 



PoLARiscopic Properties. 



Figure. 

 P. scilloides: Eccentric, distinct, not entirely clear-cut, 



generally somewhat irregular. 

 P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Essentially the same as in 



P. scilloides. 



Degree of Polarization. 

 P. scilloides: Fairly high. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Fairly high, slightly higher 

 than in P. scilloides. 



Polarization luilh Selcnitc Quadrants and Colors. 

 P. scilloides: Quadrants fairly well defined, generally 



somewhat irregular, unequal in size. Colors 



usually pure. 

 P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Quadrants essentially the 



same as in P. scilloides, but more irregular in 



shape and more unequal in size. Colors pure. 



Iodine Reactions. 



Intensity and Color. 

 P. scilloides: Deep; blue-violet. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Deep, slightly deeper than 

 in P. scilloides; blue-violet. 



Staining Reactions. 

 With Gentian Violet. 

 P. scilloides: Light. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Light, deeper than in P. 

 scilloides. 



With Safranin. 

 P. scilloides: Light. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Light, deeper than in P. 

 scilloides. 



TEiMPERATURE OF CiELATINIZ.iTION. 



P. scilloides: 55.8 to 56.9 C, mean 56.35. 



P. scilloides var. libnnolica: 55.G to 57.8 C, mean 56.7. 



Effects of Various Reagents. 

 Reaction with Chloral H ijdrate-] odine . 

 P. scilloides: Begins in 30 seconds; complete in 10 min- 

 utes. 

 P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Begins in 30 seconds; com- 

 plete in 13 minutes. 



Reaction with Chromic Acid. 



P. scilloides: Begins in a few seconds; complete in a 

 minute. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Begins in 15 seconds; com- 

 plete in a minute. 



Reaction with Pyrogallic Acid. 



P. scilloides: Begins in 15 seconds; complete in IJ^ 

 minutes. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Begins in 15 seconds; com- 

 plete in 23-2 minutes. 



Reaction with Ferric Chloride. 



P. scilloides: Begins in some in 60 seconds; complete in 



20 minutes. 

 P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Begins in some in 45 seconds; 



complete in 20 minutes. 



Reaciion ui.lh Purdy's Solution. 



P. scilloides: Begins at once; complete in three-fourths 

 of the grains in 3 minutes, and in nearly all in 

 12 minutes. 



P. scilloides var. Hbanotica: Begins in 15 seconds; com- 

 plete in all in 20 minutes. 



NOTES ON THE STARCHES OF PUSCHKINIA. 



The two Puschkinia starches are so aUke in their histological characteristics and reactions 

 that a certain diagnosis is doubtful. One of them came from a recognized species and the other 

 from what is probably a variety of the same species, and as a consequence but little difference could 

 be looked for. Such differences as were recorded are almost wholly within the limits of error. As the 

 records stand, P. scilloides is distinguishable by the somewhat smaller grains, fewer lamellae, lower 

 polarization, less purity of colors with selenite, lower reaction-intensities with iodine and the anilines, 

 lower temperature of gelatinization, greater sensitivity to chloral hydrate-iodine and pjTogallic 

 acid, and less sensitivity to Purdy's solution. With weaker chemical reagents the differences would 

 doubtless be accentuated. 



