228 DIFFERENTIATION AND SPECIFICITY OF STARCHES. 



Sarifraga granulata Linn. {Saxifragacece.) Dry scales of bulbils. — Grains rounded, rounded-trian- 

 gular to oval, with narrow proximal and broad distal ends; 0.6 to 1.33 as broad as long; the 

 broad ones compressed to half their width; from the narrow aspect mostly cone-shaped with 

 thickened hilum end; frequently with many distinct lamellae; instead of the hilum there is a 

 small cavity from which in the broad aspect several radial fissures proceed chieflj' towards 

 the distal end; in the narrow aspect a longitudinal slit is found. Length about 28/;/, width 

 about 25m. 



Ranunathis aconitifolius Linn. {RanunculacetB.) Dry roots. — Grains rounded, rounded-triangular, 

 mostly rounded or reniform, usually twice as long as broad; compressed to about half the 

 short, flattened diameter; one side (in the kidney-shaped grains the concave) thickened, the 

 opposite one thinned, knife-like; hilum approaching the thickened margin; often in place of 

 the hilum there is a small cavity, from which in the broad aspect proceeds several radial 

 fissures or sometimes one transverse fissure (parallel to the proximal margin); in the small 

 aspect there is often a distinct longitudinal slit; eccentricity of hilum about one-fourth to 

 one-fifth. Length about 42^. Some roots are poor, others rich in starch. 



Ficaria ranunculmdes Moench.; Ranunathis ficaria Linn. {RanuncfidacecB.) Fresh and dry thickened 

 roois.— Grains rounded, rounded-triangular, and broadly-conical, and occasionally some- 

 what irregular; at the proximal end usually narrowed, and at the distal end broadened; almost 

 as long as broad; one-half to two-thirds as thick as broad; from the narrow aspect of equal 

 thickness throughout or tapering towards the proximal end; lamellae delicate or invisible; 

 hilum one-fourth to one-sixth eccentric, indistinct in fresh grains, usually indicated by a 

 small cavity in dry grains. Length about 33^, width about 30;u. Some semi-compound 

 grains (see tj-pe 11); also a few doublets and triplets. 



Oxalis pentaphylla Sims. (Oxalidacew.) Dry scales of the S7nall bulbs on the root-stock. — Grains tri- 

 angular with blunt angles, mussel-shell-shaped, with 4, 5, or 6 angles, rarely oval; two-thirds to 

 almost as broad as long; lamellae usually visible, but very delicate, only the innermost ones 

 distinct; hilum often indistinct, one-ninth to one-twelfth eccentric. Length about 60m, 

 width about 58^. 



Oxalis lasiandra Zucc. (Oxalidacece.) Dry scales of the small bulb. — Grains rounded or rounded- 

 oval, frequently 3, 4, or 5 angles; sometimes rather irregular; 0.66 to 1.66 as broad as long; 

 compressed to about one-half or more of their breadth; from the broad aspect the hilum 

 end projects into an oblique angle, or into a wart-like outgro\\'th; from the narrow 

 longitudinal aspect both ends alike, or the proximal end thicker than the distal end; lamellae 

 delicate or indistinct; frequently instead of the one-eighth eccentric hilum a small cavity 

 is observed with two short, delicate fissures, which usually resemble a curved cross-fissure. 

 Size about 28^. 



Oxalis crenata Jacq. (Oxalidacew.) Bidbs. — According to Payeu (Ann. Sc. Nat., 1838, ii, 17, pi. 6, 

 fig. 3), the grains are cjdindrical or somewhat conical in shape; over twice as long as broad; 

 lamellae distinct; hilum about one-third eccentric. Size about lOO/i. A few semi-compound 

 grains with double hila, and isolated doublets, are present. From the description and 

 drawings this type can not be distinguished with certainty. Probably the compressed 

 grains belong here (otherwise they hold a medium position between the inverted-cone-shaped 

 and rod-shaped tj^Des). 



Rhizophora mangle Linn. (Rhizophoracece.) Dry radicle. — Grains oval, conical, triangular, quad- 

 rangular, or of irregular form; half to as broad as long; the broader ones compressed to one- 

 half or over; in the broad aspect, the proximal end is occasionally narrowed, the distal end 

 broadened; on the narrow aspect, often conical with thickened proximal end and tapering 

 distal end; in the narrow aspect a longitudinal slit is frequently present; sometimes there 

 is a small cavity instead of the hilum, about one-fourth eccentric. Length to 24 to 28/i, 

 width to 20yu. The structure of most grains is uncertain. Some belong here on account of 

 their cuneiform appearance; others seem to approach the conical tj-pe (type 7). 



Globba marantina Linn. {Zingiberacece.) Dry seed. — Grains rounded-oval to oblong, narrowed 

 chiefly towards one end which projects in a small papilla, frequently unsymmetrical or arched,, 

 besides many irregular and angular forms, mostly 3, 4, and 5 angles; 0.33 to 1.33 as broad as 

 long; the broader ones compressed to about one-third and one-fifth their width (to 4 and 5 

 times as long as thick); from the narrow aspect, the grains are elongated conical; without 



