GENUS GALANTHUS. 



655 



GENUS GALANTHUS. 



Gala7ithus is a small genus of about a dozen species, all natives of Central and Southern Europe 

 and the Caucasus, and popularly referred to as the snowdrops. Two species representing the main 

 species-types of the genus were studied: G. iiivalis Linn., the common snowdrop, and G. elwesii, 

 Hook., the giant snowdrop. The former is found from the Pyrenees to the Caucasus, and the latter 

 in the mountains of Asia Minor. 



STARCH OF GALANTHUS NIVALIS. (Plate 56, figs. 333 and 334. Chart 222.) 



Histological Characteristics. In foryn the grains are usually simple, with occasional compounds 

 and small aggregates. Poorly defined pressure facets may sometimes be seen on the isolated grains. 

 The smaller grains often occur in clumps. The surface sometimes has irregular projections, blunt 

 to nipple-like, and also depressions. The conspicuous forms are spherical, ovoid (which may vary 

 from short to ellipsoidal), triangular, lenticular, oval, quadrangular with much rounded corners, 

 some clam-shell type, and some irregular forms. The grains are about one-half to two-thirds as 

 thick as broad and tend to be somewhat triangular to wedge-shaped when seen on edge, the distal 

 end being narrower than the proximal end. 



The hilum is distinct, and eccentric from one-fifth to two-thirds of the longitudinal axis. When 

 not fissured it is usually a comparatively small round spot or hole; rarely it is elongated or lenticular. 

 It may be double or rarely triple. It is usuallj' fissured. The fissuration may be in the form of a 

 cleft that is neither deep nor wide, transverse or diagonal with a double downward curve, 3-armed, 

 irregularly stellate, clean-cut or ragged. Sometimes there is a fissure at the hilum and another 

 towards the distal end. 



The lamellw are very distinct, rather fine, continuous rings; they may be irregular and not 

 always follow the outline of the margin; they are more distinct near the hilum, especially one 

 lamella; they vary in distinctness in different grains. If there are double hila, each has usually 

 its own set, which as they become more distally located 

 fuse with the lamellae of other hila. There are about 20 

 to 26 lamellae on the larger grains. 



The grains vary in size from 7 to 46/i. The common 

 size is Zifj.. 



Polariscopic Properties. The figure is eccentric, dis- 

 tinct, fairly regular, and fairlj-^ clear-cut. Its lines are 

 always broad, and may become less distinctly outlined 

 near the margin; also slightly bent and otherwise dis- 

 torted. Double figures are sometimes observed. 



The degree of polarization is fairly high. It some- 

 times is less at the distal end than at the proximal end, 

 and it is higher in certain positions of the same grain. It 

 varies somewhat in different grains. 



With selenite the quadrants are fairly well defined, 

 fairly regular in shape, and usually of unequal size. The 

 colors are fairly pure. 



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

 tion the grains are colored immediately a deep blue-violet, 

 some more than others; with 0.125 per cent solution they 



tint fairly lightly, some more than others, and the color deepens rapidly. After heating in water 

 until the grains are completely gelatinized, the solution is colored lightly and the grains to variable 

 depths on the addition of iodine. After boiling for 2 minutes the solution colors much more deeply, 

 but the grain-residues much less. All of the capsules contain some blue-reacting starch, and with 

 an excess of iodine all show a blue-violet coloration. 



Staining Reactions. With gentian violet the grains stain at once fairly well and in 30 minutes 

 some are stained fairly deeply to deep. 



With safranin the grains stain at once very lightly and after 30 minutes some are colored fairly 

 deep to deep. The depth of color is about the same as that of the gentian violet. 



Temperature Reaction. The temperature of gelatinization is G6 to 07 C, mean 66.5. 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of 

 Calanthus nivalis. 



