482 



STARCHES OF LILIACEiE. 



additions, usually one but sometimes two in number, of varying size and shape, generally at the 

 distal end or the sides of the grain. Many of the forms are distorted by these additions until they 

 closely resemble irregularly shaped pebbles. Some grains are bent along the longitudinal axis. The 

 conspicuous forms are the flattened elliptical with both ends rounded and blunt, and sometimes dis- 

 torted by additions; rod-shaped, lenticular, clam-shell-shaped, and mussel-shell-shaped. There are 

 also some triangular grains with rounded base and angles, pyriform, and a few ovoid and quad- 

 rilateral forms. The smaller grains are usuallj' round or nearly round. 



The hilum is a distinct, eccentric, small, round or oval cavity, with a range of eccentricity of 

 from one-fourth to one-sixth, in most of the grains one-fifth, of the longitudinal axis; often with a 

 small, narrow, and transverse fissure; the fissure and cavity may have two lines from each side 

 proceeding outward and towards the distal end of the primary part of the grain. 



The lamellw are not very distinct fine circles, ellipses, or segments of circles, etc., generally 

 regular, but occasionally with a waviness of outline. Sometimes, at the sides or distal end of the 

 grain, there are two or more sets of lamellae, whose longitudinal axes form angles of varying degrees 

 with that of the primary part of the grain, and which 

 have apparently been formed at a different date from 

 the latter. The lamellae are not so fine, but are more 

 distinct near the distal end than near the hilum. There 

 are about 15 to 20 lamellae on the larger grains. Some of 

 the grains appear to be in the process of erosion. 



The grains vary in size; the small grains are 4 by in, 

 the larger, elongated forms are 50 by 34/t, and the broad- 

 ened forms are 40 by 40/x in length and breadth. The 

 common size is 30 by 17/u. 



Polariscopic Properties. — The fyure is eccentric, dis- 

 tinct, and often clear-cut. The lines are sometimes not 

 clearly defined and often placed at varjing angles, bi- 

 sected, and usually much curved, or sharply bent, thus 

 causing the figure to be much distorted. 



The degree of polarization is high, varying somewhat 

 in different grains and in different aspects of the same grain, 

 being highest when the grain is viewed on end or edge. 

 It is not so high as that of the grains of L. candidum. 



With selenite the quadrants are from fairly well 

 defined to well defined, very irregular in shape and unequal in size. The colors are usually not pure. 



Iodine Reactions. — With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solution the grains all color a fairly deep blue- 

 violet; with 0.125 per cent solution they color fairly and the color deepens rapidly. It is much less 

 than that of the grains of L. candidum. After heating in water until all the grains are completely 

 gelatinized, the solution colors deeply and the swollen grains very deeply on the addition of iodine. 

 After boihng for 2 minutes the solution colors very deeply, while most of the grain-residues do not 

 color at all, and the others only lightly. The capsules are all colored a red-violet with an excess 

 of iodine. 



Staining Reactions. — With gentian violet the grains begin to stain at once. After being in solu- 

 tion for 30 minutes they stain fairly, somewhat more than the grains of L. candidum. 



With safranin the grains begin to stain at once, although not so well as in L. candidum. After 

 remaining in solution for 30 minutes they are rather lightly stained, not so much as the grains of 

 L. candidum. 



Temperature Reaction. — The temperature of gelatinization is 62.8° to 65° C, mean 63.9°. 



Effects of Various Reagents. — With chloral hydrate-iodine the grains begin to react at once. 

 A few are gelatinized in a minute, many in 3 minutes, and all in 9 minutes. A dark ring frequently 

 forms at the hilum, and irregular protuberances usually appear first at the distal end, and sometimes 

 almost simultaneously from both ends. Where there are angles of irregularities on the grain, colored 

 protuberances appear first at the points. The gelatinized grain is of varied and irregular shape. 

 The reaction is qualitatively the same as that of the grains of L. candidum. 



With chromic acid the grains begin to react at once and are completely dissolved in 20 seconds. 

 Bubbles frequently appear at the hilum. The reaction is qualitatively the same as in L. candidum. 



Curve of Reaction- Intensities of Starch of Liltum 

 philadelphicunt . 



