678 



STARCHES OF AMARYLLIDACE^. 



Reaction with Purdy's solution begins in many grains in 30 seconds and most of them are par- 

 tially gelatinized in 3 minutes. About half are completely gelatinized in 20 minutes and two-thirds 

 in 30 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively the same as that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



STARCH OF NARCISSUS JONQUILLA VAR. CAMPERNELLI RUGULOSUS. 

 (Plate 62, figs. 367 and 368. Chart 239.) 



Histological Characteristics. In form the grains are simple. There are a few aggregates. Pres- 

 sure facets are rarely observed. The surface of the grains is somewhat irregular, owing to irregu- 

 larities of development rather than additions to their surfaces, but grains are occasionally seen 

 inclosed in a layer of starch of variable thickness. The conspicuous forms are the ovoid to oval, 

 irregularly quadrilateral and triangular with very much rounded angles. In addition there are 

 spherical, hemispherical, pyriform, lenticular, reniform, and many irregular shapes. The quadri- 

 lateral, reniform, and triangular grains are about one-half to three-fourths as thick as they are 

 broad, and the ovoid and other rounded forms are commonly about as thick as broad. 



The hiliirn is a fairly small, not very distinct, round spot, usually eccentric about one-fourth 

 to one-third of the longitudinal axis of the grain and on or to one side of the median line. It is often 

 fissured and the fissures are usually small and clear-cut. There may be one transverse line, straight 

 or with a double curve, or two irregular, ragged fissures radiating from the hilum, or a stellate 

 arrangement. No multiple hila were observed. 



The lamella are usually invisible, but when they can 

 be seen they appear as fairly regular, coarse, continuous 

 rings which follow closely the outline of the margin of 

 the grain. The number could not be determined. 



The grains vary in size from 3.5 to 44/i. The com- 

 mon size is 24^. 



Polariscopic Properties. The figure is usually eccen- 

 tric, distinct, and often clear-cut, but frequently one or 

 more of the lines become broader and less well defined in 

 some parts of their length. The lines are also often 

 somewhat bent or otherwise distorted. 



The degree of polarization is high. It varies much in 

 different grains, in different aspects of the same grain, 

 and often very much in different parts of the same aspect 

 of a grain. It is about the same as that of the grains 

 of N. horsfieldii. 



With selenite the quadrants are usually not well de- 

 fined, irregular in shape, and unequal in size. The colors 

 are often pure. 



Iodine Reactions. With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solution the grains color a deep blue-violet; 

 with 0.125 per cent solution they color fairly deeply and the color deepens slowly. It is slightly 

 deeper than that of the grains of A'', horsfieldii. After heating in water until the grains are completely 

 gelatinized, the solution colors fairly deeply and the grains deeply on the addition of iodine. The 

 capsules color a red-violet with an excess of iodine and most of them retain some blue-reacting 

 starch. 



Staining Reactions. With gentian violet the grains begin to stain in 2 minutes and in 30 min- 

 utes are but fairly stained. The color is very slightly less than that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



With safranin the grains begin to stain in a minute and in 30 minutes they are but lightly 

 stained. The color is less than that of the grains of A'', horsfieldii. 



Temperature Reaction. The temperature of gelatinization is 76 to 77 C, mean 76.5. 



Effects of Various Reagents. With chloral hydrate-iodine reaction begins in some grains in IJ/^ 

 minutes and is over in a few in 3 minutes. It is nearly general in 5 minutes and in 10 minutes a 

 few more are completely or partially gelatinized. About one-fourth are completely gelatinized in 

 35 minutes, one-third in 1}^ hours, and two-fifths in 1^ hours. The reaction is qualitatively the 

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



The reaction with chromic acid begins in a few grains in 45 seconds, in all in IJ^ minutes, and is 

 over in 7 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively the same as that of the grains of A'', horsfieldii. 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of Narcissus 

 jonquilla var. campernetU niguloaus. 



