114 



HISTOLOGIC PROPERTIES AND REACTIONS. 



34. COMPARISONS OF THE STARCHES OF GLADIOLUS 



CARDINALIS, G. TRISTIS, AND G. COLVILLEI. 



In histologic characteristics, polariscopic figures, reac- 

 tions with selenite, qualitative reactions with iodine, and 

 qualitative reactions with chemical reagents the parents 

 and the hybrid exhibit properties in common in varying 

 degrees of development and also individualities which 

 collectively are in each case distinctive, although the 

 starches show characters in general that are closely 

 akin. The starch of Gladiolus tristis in comparison with 

 that of G. cardinalis exhibits as prominent differences 

 certain peculiarities of the aggregates and an absence 

 of a type of compound grain that is found, and the pres- 

 ence of another type of compound grain that is not found 

 in G. cardinalis; and sharply defined pressure facets are 

 more common. The hilum is less distinct ; an irregular 

 cavity at the hilum is often larger and more irregular; 

 fissuration is more common ; and eccentricity is greater. 

 The lamellae are less distinct and numerous. The size of 

 the grains is less. In the polariscopic, selenite, and quali- 

 tative iodine reactions there are many differences which 

 seemingly are of a minor character, yet which collec- 

 tively are quite diagnostic. In the qualitative reactions 

 with chloral hydrate, hydrochloric acid, potassium iodide, 

 sodium hydroxide, and sodium salicylate there are 

 many differences, mostly minor, some individualizing one 

 or the other parent. The starch of the hybrid in com- 

 parison with the starches of the parents contains certain 

 compound grains similar to a type found only in G. car- 

 dinalis and also a linear type of aggregate that is found 

 only in G. tristis. There are many minor differences, 

 but the grains are on the whole more closely related to 

 those of G. cardinalis. The hilum exhibits more numer- 

 ous clefts and the figuration is more varied than in either 

 parent; eccentricity is about the same as in G. tristis and 

 greater than in G. cardinalis; but in general characters 

 the hilum is more like that of G, cardinalis. The lamellae 

 in character are mid-intermediate, but the number is in 

 excess of the numbers in the parents. The size is closer to 

 that of G. tristis. In the polariscopic, selenite, and 

 qualitative iodine reactions there are leanings to one or 

 the other parent, but the relationship is on the whole 

 much closer to G. cardinalis. In the qualitative chemi- 

 cal reactions there are corresponding leanings and 

 relationships. 



Reaction-intensities Expressed by Light, Color, and Tempera- 

 ture Reactions. 

 Polarization: 



G. cardinalis, high to very high, much higher than in G. tristis, 

 value 85. 



G. tristis, moderate to high, value 05. 



G. colvillei, high to very high, not quite so high as in G. cardinalis, 



value 80. 

 Iodine: 



G. cardinalis, moderate to deep, the same as in G. tristis, value 60. 



G. tristis, moderate to deep, value 60. 



G. colvillei, moderate to deep, lighter than in either parent, 



value 55. 

 Gentian violet: 



G. cardinalis, moderate, higher than in G. tristis, value 50. 



G. tristis, light to moderate, value 40. 



G. colvillei, moderate, intermediate between the parents, value 47. 

 Safranin: 



G. cardinalis, moderate, deeper than in G. tristis, value 53. 



G. tristis, light to moderate, value 45. 



G. colvillei, moderate, the same as in G. cardinalis, value 53. 

 Temperature: 



G. cardinalis, majority at 83 to 84.5, all at 84 to 86, mean 85. 



G. tristis, majority at 76 to 78, all at 78 to 79, mean 78.5. 



G. colvillei, majority at 78 to 80, all at 82 to 83, mean 82.5. 



The reactivities of G. cardinalis are higher than those 

 of G. tristis in the polarization, gentian violet, and safra- 

 nin ; lower in the temperature reaction ; and the same 

 in that with iodine. The reactivities of the hybrid are in- 



