GENUS MUSCARI. 



583 



line; it is centric or nearly centric in the round forms. The hiliim is often marked by a transverse 

 or longitudinal fissure, which may be straight or curved; or both transverse and longitudinal fissures 

 may be present, forming a cross; or a number of fissures may radiate from the hilum, frequently three 

 in nimiber; two hila are founil in some grains, between which a transverse fissure may often be seen. 



The lamcUw are rather indistinct, coarse, complete rings near the hilurn, and more distinct 

 and following the outline of the grain at the distal end and near the margin. 



The grains vary in size from 4 to 34yu. The common size is about 19/i. 



Polariscopic Properties.- The figure is centric or slightly eccentric, distinct, and usually clear- 

 cut. Its lines are rather thick and generally straight. 



The degree of polarization is high. It varies from high in the larger grains to fair in the smallest. 

 In the largest grains it varies somewhat in different parts of the same grain, and is higher when 

 viewed on edge and end. It is not so high as in M. 

 botryoides. Chart No. 167. 



With selenite the quadrants are fairly well defined, " >f ^ | I T I I ? T T ? ? p'^ps 

 regular in shape, and about equal in size. The colors vh vd so- | | | | | | | | | | 5 

 are pure. 



Iodine Reactions. With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solu- 

 tion the grains color a deep blue-violet; with 0.125 per 

 cent solution they color fairly and the color deepens 

 quickly. The grains are not so deeply colored as those 

 of M. botryoides. After heating in water until all the 

 grains are gelatinized, the solution colors fairly and the 

 grains very deeply on the addition of iodine. After boil- 

 ing for 2 minutes the solution colors deeply and the 

 grain-residues fairlj' to lightly. The capsules all color 

 a red-violet with an excess of iodine. 



Staining Reactions.- AVith gentian violet the grains 

 begin to stain at once and in 30 minutes are fairly 

 stained. The color is much less than that of the grains 

 of M. botryoides. 



AVith safranin the grains begin to stain at once and in 

 30 minutes are fairly stained. The color is somewhat lighter than that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



Temperature Reaction. The temperature of gelatinization is 71 to 73 C, mean 72. 



Effects of Various Reagents. With chloral hydrate-iodine reaction begins in many grains in a 

 mmute. About three-fourths are completely gelatinized in 8 minutes, nearly all in 17 minutes, 

 and all in 30 minutes. The reaction is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



Reaction with chromic acid begins in some grains at once and in all in 15 seconds, and is over 

 in 2 minutes. It is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



The reaction with pyrogallic acid begins in some grains in a few seconds and in all in 30 seconds. 

 About one-fourth are completely and three-fourths partially gelatinized in 3 minutes, all nearly 

 completely gelatinized in 8 minutes, and all completely gelatinized in 25 minutes. The reaction 

 is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



The reaction with ferric chloride begins in a very few grains in a minute. About half are gelatin- 

 ized in 8 minutes, nearly all in 27 minutes, and all in 33 minutes. The reaction is the same quali- 

 tatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



With Purdy's solution the reaction begins in some grains at once and in most of them in a minute. 

 About one-third are partially gelatinized in 15 minutes, one-half in 25 minutes, and about three- 

 fourths are partially and one-fifth completely in 60 minutes. 



STARCH OF MUSCARI RACEMOSUM. (Plate 44, figs. 259 and 260. Chart 168.) 

 Histological Characteristics. In form the grains are usually simple; rarely they are compound, 

 consisting of two components. There are a few small aggregates, generally in the form of doublets, 

 which consist of one large with one very small round or rounded triangular component; but occa- 

 sionally the components are of equal size. Rarely triplets occur. Pressure facets are sometimes 

 found on the isolated grain. A few clumps are present. The surface of the grains is usually quite 

 regular. Irregularities may be due to protuberances which occasionally occur at various points. 

 39 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of Muscan 

 commutatum. 



