GENERA ANTHOLTZA AND CROCUS. 



743 



With Purdy's solution there is a slight reaction in some grains in 3 minutes, without further 

 important change. It is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of A. crocosmoides. 



Differentiation of Cerlain Starches of the Genus Antholyza. 

 Histological Characteristics. 

 Conspicuous Forms. 



A. crocosmoides: Simple, few aggregates, chiefly in the 



form of doublets and triplets, isolated grains 



usually have 1 or 2 pressure facets. Spherical, 



hemispherical, and ovoid. 

 A. paiticulata: Essentially the same as in A. crocosTnoides. 



Hilum Form, Number, and Position. 



A. crocosmoides: Rather large, generally distinct round 



spot or cavity; sometimes fissured, fissures usually 



short, straight, and transverse. Usually eccentric 



two-fifths or less of longitudinal axis. 

 A. paniculaia: Not very large, fairly distinct spot or 



ca^^ty, sometimes fissured, fissures usually short, 



straight, transverse. Position usually eccentric 



two-fifths or less of longitudinal axis. 



Lamellce General Characteristics and Number. 



A. crocosmoides: Usually indistinct, rather coarse, reg- 

 ular, complete, having form of outUne of grain, 



except near the hilum, where they are circular. 



Number not accurately determined, probably 



5 to 7. 

 .4. paniculaia: Fairly distinct, usually coarse, regular, 



usually continuous, of the same shape as outline 



of grain except near the hilum. 10 to 12 on 



larger grains. 



Size. 

 A. crocosmoides: From 0.75 to 24^, commonly 10m. 

 A. paniculaia: From 0.75 to SO/i, commonly 20^. 



PoLABiscopic Properties. 



Figure. 



A. crocosmoides: Usually eccentric, distinct, usually 

 clear-cut, lines sometimes bent and otherwise dis- 

 torted. 



.4. paniculaia: Same as in 4. crocosmoides. 



Degree of Polarization. 



A. crocosmoides: Fairly high, variable. 

 A. paniculaia: Fairly high, more variable and not so 

 high as in A. crocosmoides. 



Polarization toith Selenite Quadrants and Colors. 



A. crocosmoides: Quadrants, as a rule, well defined, 



irregular in shape, and unequal in size. Colors 



usually pure. 

 A. paniculaia: Quadrants the same as in 4. crocosmoides. 



Colors usually pure. 



Iodine Reactions. 



Intensity and Color. 

 A. a'ocosmoides: Light; blue- violet. 

 A. paniculaia: Light, less than in A. crocosmoides; 

 blue-violet. 



Staining Reactions. 

 Wilh Gentian Violet. 

 A. crocosmoides: Fair. 

 A. paniculaia: Fair, less than in A. crocosmoides. 



With Safranin. 

 A. crocosmoides: Fair. 

 A. paniculaia: Fair, less than in A. crocosmoides. 



Temperature Reaction. 



A. crocosmoides: 73 to 75 C, mean 74. 

 A. paniculaia: 71 to 73 C, mean 72. 



Effects of Various Reagents. 

 Reaction with Chloral Hydrate-Iodine. 

 A. crocosmoides: Begins in many in 30 seconds; four- 

 fifths affected in 10 minutes; incomplete in an hour. 

 A. paniculaia: Begins in some in 30 seconds; four-fifths 

 affected in 10 minutes; incomplete in an hour. 



Reaction with Chromic Acid. 



A. crocosmoides: Begins in most in 15 seconds; complete 



in all in 3 minutes. 

 A. paniculaia: Begins in some in 30 seconds; complete 



in aU in 2 minutes. 



Reaction with Pyrogallic Acid. 



A. crocosmoides: Begins in all in 30 seconds; complete 



in all in 4 minutes. 

 A. paniculaia: Begins in all in 45 seconds; complete in 



all in 3}^ minutes. 



Reaction with Ferric Chloride. 



A. crocosmoides: Begins in some grains in 2 minutes; 

 complete in all in 40 minutes. 



A. paniculaia: Begins in some grains in 2 minutes; com- 

 plete in all in 23 minutes. 



Reaction with Purdy's Solution. 



A. crocosmoides: There is a slight reaction in 4 minutes; 



no further reaction of importance. 

 A. paniculaia: There is a slight reaction in some of the 



grains in 3 minutes. No further reaction of 



importance. 



NOTES ON THE STARCHES OF ANTHOLYZA. 



The histological characters of these starches vary sufficiently to be of some usefulness in dif- 

 ferentiation. The reactions are in close correspondence, the greatest difference being noted in the 

 temperature of gelatinization (2). The variations are slight and usually within the limits of error. 



GENUS CROCUS. 



The genus Crocus includes about 70 species of cormous herbs, natives of Southern Europe and 

 Southwestern Asia, especially of the region of Greece and Asia Minor. The horticulturist classes 

 them into the spring-flowering and autumn-flowering forms, and to the latter belongs C. sativus 

 Linn., the common saffron crocus. Three garden forms included in the first class were used as 

 sources of starch. These are C. susianus, Ker. (Cloth-of-Gold crocus), C. versicolor Ker. (Cloth-of- 

 Silver crocus, striped) and C. var. (Baron von Brunow, deep blue). 

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