GENUS NARCISSUS. 



669 



Stainin{} Reactions. With gentian violet tlie grains begin to stain at once very slightly and after 

 30 minutes they are lightly stained. Tiie color is less than that of the grains of A'', horsfieldii. 



With safmnin the grains begui to stain at once, but after 30 minutes they are lightly stained. 

 The color is less than that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



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



Effects of Various Reagents. With chloral hydrate-iodine there is a reaction m most of the grains 

 in 3 minutes. About one-fourth are darkened and probably gelatinized in 8 minutes, and one-half 

 are completely gelatinized in 55 minutes. Of the remaining half, some are partially gelatinized, 

 but others are entirely unaffected. There was no further change. The reaction is qualitatively 

 the same as that in the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



With chromic acid there is some reaction in 30 seconds, it is general in a minute, and over in 8 

 minutes. The reaction is the same as that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



With pyrogaUic acid a few of the grains react in a minute and all are affected, about one-fourth 

 being completely gelatinized in 10 minutes. The reaction is complete in 45 minutes. It is qualita- 

 tively the same as that of the grams of N. horsfieldii. 



With ferric chloride there is a reaction in some of the grains in 13^ minutes. About one-third 

 are gelatinized in 10 minutes, three-fourths in 25 mmutes, and all in 50 minutes. The reaction 

 is qualitatively the same as that of the gi-ains of A'^. horsfieldii. 



With Purdy's solution there is a slight reaction in 3 minutes. A few are gelatinized and a few 

 more are slightly affected in 13^2 hours. There was no further change. The reaction is qualitatively 

 the same as that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



STARCH OF NARCISSUS BULBOCODIUM VAR. CONSPICUA. (Plate 59, figs. 351 and 352. Chart 231.) 



Histological Characteristics. In form the grains usually are simple. There are few compound 

 grains and aggregates. Pressure facets were rarely observed on the isolated grains. The surface is 

 often irregular, owing chiefly to the unequal development of their surfaces in the form of rounded 

 protrusions or nipple-like processes. Sometimes an addition is made so that the grain is completely 

 inclosed by a lamellated deposit. The conspicuous forms are the ovoid to oval and elliptical, which 

 often are not so wide at the distal end as at the proximal end. There are also spherical, hemi- 

 spherical, quadi'ilateral, triangular, and various odd 

 forms. The triangular, quadrilateral, and other broad 

 forms are about half as thick as they are broad, but 

 the other forms as a whole are of the same thickness 

 as width. 



The hilum is a small, not very distinct, round or 

 lenticular spot, usually eccentric about two-fifths to one- 

 third of the longitudinal axis of the grain and in or to 

 one side of the median line. It is often fissured, and the 

 fissure is usually small, but ragged and irregular. Not 

 only the hilum but parts of the grain between it and the 

 distal end may be fissured. 



The lamellce are rather indistinct, but can usually be 

 seen as rather coarse, regular rings which tend to follow 

 the outline of the margin of the grain. There are about 

 6 to 8 on the larger grains. 



The grains vary in size from 4 to 40/i. The common 

 size is 24^. 



Polariscopic Properties. The figure is usually eccen- 

 tric, sometimes distinct, and generally not clear-cut. 

 One or more of the lines are broader and less sharply defined in some parts than in others, and 

 sometimes they are also somewhat bent or otherwise distorted. 



The degree of polarization is high. It varies in different grains, in different aspects of the same 

 grain, and in different parts of the same aspect of a grain. In some grains large areas arts dark. 

 It is slightly less than that of the grains of A'^. horsfieldii. 



With selenite the quadrants are usually well ilefined, irregular in shape, and unequal in size. 

 The colors are usually very pure. 



Chart No. 23 1 



P I GV 

 S 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of 

 bulbocodium var. conspicua. 



MINUTES 

 Narcissus 



