828 STARCHES OP MARANTACE^. 



many more grains. During the disorganization of the lamella near the central part of the grain, 

 the refractive granules often appear in linear arrangement, which is not the case in M. arundinacea, 

 as well as in those of very resistant lamella? at the distal margin, which is observed but in a smaller 

 number of lamellffi at this point in M. arundinacea. While the capsule of more grains is ruptured 

 first at the distal end, it may break at the sides or even at the proximal end; in the latter method 

 there may have been a protuberance or a secondary set of lamellse at this end, since the lamellse in 

 such grains, when observed, are found to pass into solution first. The lamella of the triangular 

 forms are more resistant than in those of M. arundinacea, gradually becoming either more and more 

 homogeneous, slightly undulating, and the capsule finally breaking here, followed by solution of 

 the entire grain; or the capsule first ruptures at both corners of the distal margin and the lamellae 

 at the proximal end; the sides nearby and three or four at the curved distal margins remain intact 

 for some minutes later. Sometimes there is a lateral extension of one corner followed by the break- 

 ing of the capsule at this point. The reaction is qualitatively the same as in M. arundinacea, but 

 the lamellse are more resistant and dming their disorganization more refractive granules first appear 

 in linear arrangement, there is a greater variation in the points at which the capsule first ruptures, 

 and the fissures extending distalwards from the hilum are always clearly defined. 



Reaction begins immediately with pyrogallic acid. A few grains are gelatinized in 30 seconds, 

 about half in 2 minutes, nearly all in 4 minutes, and all but rare grains in 5 minutes, these usually 

 in 9, seldom in 11 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively the same as in M. arundinacea, but the 

 hilum is not so distinct nor does a bubble usually form there; fissures extending distalwards from 

 the hilum are always clearly observed and in the pyriform grains are often in the form of a single, 

 root-like structure, while in the triangular and shell-shaped grains one coarse fissure radiates from 

 each side of the hilum, with a cluster of smaller delicate ones (the central one of which is sometimes 

 more prominent) between them; the lamella are more sharply defined and striated and during their 

 disorganization refractive gi-anules appear both irregularly embedded in the gelatinized starch and 

 in linear arrangement, while in M. arundinacea only a trace of such granules may be observed in 

 the more resistant grains. During gelatinization of the broadened grains with prominent corners at 

 the distal margin, the lamellse at these points are gelatinized before the curved central portion, with 

 accompanying small swellings at these points; sometimes a similar small swelling in the center of 

 the distal margin appears previous to the entire gelatinization of these very resistant lamellse; this 

 method of gelatinization has not been noted in M. arundinacea. The capsules are more irregular 

 and distorted and bear less resemblance to the untreated grain than in M. arundinacea. 



The reaction with ferric chloride begins in a few grains immediately. A very small number are 

 gelatinized in a minute, only a few scattered grains in 5 minutes, about one-twelfth in 15 minutes, 

 about one-fourth in 30 minutes, and about five-sixths in 60 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively 

 the same as in M. arundinacea, with the exception of the following points: First, the hilum, while 

 becoming more distinct than in the untreated grain, is neither so prominent nor does a large bubble 

 appear there as in M. arundinacea. Second, the process of gelatinization is usually similar to that 

 of the second type described for M. arundinacea, but the border which forms around the grain 

 generally spreads over the hilum, a point slightly distal to this region being the last to be inclosed, 

 instead of that directly around and including the hilum as noted for M. arundinacea. As the border 

 advances over the hilum, its contour changes from a circle to a crescent-shaped figure with ends 

 directed distalwards, from each end of which one fissure radiates. Fissures are now formed as noted in 

 M. arundinacea, but during the disorganization of the lamella? many more refractive granules appear 

 in linear arrangement, and in the triangular forms there is a flaring at the corners of the distal margin, 

 and very often a single row of refractive granules remains between these two points, even when the 

 rest of the grain is gelatinized. Third, in grains with a secondary set of lamellse, a separate border 

 forms for the main body of the grain and for the addition; these finally include the entire grain, 

 the last point to be affected in the secondary set being located at the border of the main body 

 of the grain. Each set then has its separate center of gelatinization, that of the secondary lamellse 

 being more rapid ; the different stages of the process are the same as those already noted. Fourth, 

 the gelatinized grains are more distorted than in M. arundinacea and often retain refractive granules. 

 Reaction with Purdy's solution begins in a small number in a minute. Only rare scattered grains 

 are gelatinized in 5 minutes. There is slight progress in 15 minutes, about one-thirtieth are gelatinized 

 in 30 minutes, and about one-twentieth in GO minutes. The reaction is qualitatively the same as in 

 M. arundinacea with the exception of the following points: First, the hilum does not swell so much. 



