GENUS PUSCHKINIA. 



553 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of Puschkinia 

 scitloides var. libanotica. 



to the irregularities in size and distribution of the component grains with respect to one another. 

 The conspicuous forms arc oval, ovoid, and triangular with flattened distal end and broad, rounded 

 proximal end; also lenticular, quadrilateral with rounded angles, elliptical, and various irregular 

 forms, some of which are very much deformed. The grains are not flattened, but when seen on 

 edge the distal end is usually found to be much thinner than the proximal. 



The hilum is a distinct, fairly large round spot, eccentric from about two-fifths to one-fourth 

 of the longitudinal axis, and in or near the median line. In small round grains it may be eccentric. 

 Two or more hila linearly are often arranged in a single grain or in a single component of a compound 

 grain. The hilum is usually fissured, and there is either 

 one long, rather narrow, clean-cut, straight line, longitud- 

 inal or transverse; or two long, straight lines forming a 

 cross; or a group of small, ragged fissures radiating from a 

 central point. In single grains with more than one hilum, 

 a single fissure sometimes extends through the line of hila. 



The lamellw are fairly distinct, irregular, rather coarse 

 continuous rings which follow the outline of the margin 

 only when near it. They are more distinct, but not so 

 coarse near the hilum as when near the margin, and vary 

 in size and distinctness in different grains, and tend to be 

 discontinuous at the distal end. There are 12 to 14 on 

 the larger grains. 



The grains vary in size from 3 to 30^. The common 

 size is 20fi. 



Polariscopic Properties. — The figure is eccentric, dis- 

 tinct, not always clear-cut, and generally somewhat irregu- 

 lar. Its lines are broad, and usually broader but less clear- 

 cut as they approach the margin, sometimes bent and 

 otherwise distorted, and placed at varying angles to one 

 another. Some grains have a complexity of figures caused by the presence of the several components of 

 a compound grain, in which there is one large figure and one or more small ones or other modifications. 



The degree of polarization is fairly high, varying in different grains, being low in some to high 

 in others. It varies also at times in different aspects of the same grain and is higher when the grain 

 is on end or edge. It is slightly higher than that of the grains of P. scilloides. 



With selenite the quadrants are fairly well defined, irregular in shape, and unequal in size. 

 The colors are generally pure. 



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

 with 0.125 per cent solution they color fairly and the color deepens rapidly. The color is slightly 

 deeper than that of P. scilloides. After heating in water until all the grains are completely gelatin- 

 ized, the solution colors lightly and the swollen grains very deeply. After boiling for 2 minutes 

 the solution colors deeply and the grain-residues lightly or not at all. The capsules all color a red- 

 dish violet on the addition of an excess of iodine. 



Staining Reactions. — With gentian violet and with safranin the grains begin to stain very lightly 

 at once and in 30 minutes they are lightly stained, but more than the grains of P. scilloides. 



Temperature Reaction.— The temperature of golatinization is 55.6° to 57.8° C, mean 56.7°. 



Effects of Variotis Reagents. — ^With chloral hydrate-iodine reaction begins in some grains in 15 

 seconds and in all in 30 seconds. It is over in 13 minutes. It is the same qualitatively as that of 

 the grains of P. scilloides. 



Reaction with chromic acid begins in 15 seconds, and is over in a minute. It is the same quali- 

 tatively as that of the grains of P. scilloides. 



Reaction with pyrogallic acid begins in 15 seconds and is complete in 2J^ minutes. It is the 

 same qualitatively as that of the grains of P. scilloides. 



The reaction with ferric chloride begins in some grains in 45 seconds. It is over in four-fifths 

 of the grains in 10 minutes and in all in 20 minutes. It is the same qualitatively as that of the grains 

 of P. scilloides. 



The reaction with Purdy's solution begins in 15 seconds and is over in 20 minutes. It is the 

 same qualitatively as that of the grains of P. scilloides. 



