126 PLANT ANATOMY. 
In living roots or leaves, inulin does not separate out in a 
solid form ; it is only when water is abstracted from the solu- 
tion, in which it is there contained, that it forms either glass-- 
like,.amorphous masses, or fine, soft, needle-like crystals of the. 
rhombic system.’ The latter may combine to form larger, 
radiated, spherical aggregates or sphwro-crystals (F ig. 54 a and 
6), which are best obtained when entire Dahlia tubers are placed 
in absolute alcohol or concentrated glycerin. After some days, 
Fie, 54 b.—Spheero-crystals of inulin from Dahlia tubers. 
in consequence of the slow abstraction of water, the inulin 
crystallizes in aggregations, which cannot be obtained by simple 
drying. The leaves of the Composite must be prepared for 
dehydration by previously boiling them with caustic potassa. 
Crystallized inulin, when observed in polarized light, is seen 
to be doubly refractive (Fig. 52, p. 119, No. VI.), though less 
strikingly so than amylum ; the crossed arms do not appear 
des Inulins,” Petersburg, 1870. Kiliani, Liebig’s Annalen, 205 (1880) 
145-190. 
1 Bot. Zeitung, 1876, 368, 
