GENUS ERYTHRONIUM. 



667 



The reaction with Purdy's sohUion begins at once and is over in 10 seconds. It is probably 

 the same quahtatively as that of the grains of E. dens-canis. 



STARCH OF ERYTHRONIUM CALIFORNICUM. (Plate 40, figs. 239 and 240. Chart 168.) 



Histological Characteristics. — In form the grains are simple, and are isolated with the excep- 

 tion of some in doublets and in clumps. More small aggregates (usually in the form of doub- 

 lets) and more clumps are found than was observed in E. dens-canis. Pressure facets are noted 

 on some of the isolated grains. The surface is usually rather regular. Irregularities are due to 

 the causes noted in E. dens-canis. The conspicuous forms are the oval eUiptical, ovoid, pyriform, 

 and irregular rounded triangular to irregular clam-shell and oyster-shell types. The broad forms 

 are flattened. 



The hilum is a small spot, not as refractive as in E. dens-canis, but about the same as E. grandi- 

 florum. In the small round forms it is centric, and in the elongated grains, wth a range of eccentric- 

 ity from one-fourth to one-sixth, usually one-fourth, of the longitudinal axis. At the hilum there 

 is generally a transverse fissure or a small irregular cavity from which, in many grains, two fissures 

 pass out. In the broad forms these fissures are often 

 curved and turn towards the proximal end like a pair of 

 horns. In the elliptical grains they extend towards the 

 distal end and are usually branched. A cluster of curved 

 fissures at the hilum sometimes forms irregular figures. 



The lamellos are indistinct as a rule, and when visible 

 take the shape of the grain when very near the margin, 

 and of the hilum when near it. They are usually more 

 distinct near the margin and the distal end. 



The size of the small round grains is 6 by 6^, and 

 of the large elongated forms is 42 by 32ju in length and 

 breadth. The common size of the latter is 24 by 16;u in 

 length and breadth; of the broader grains, 24 bj' 26ju. 



Polariscopic Properties. — The figure is eccentric ex- 

 cept in a few round forms. It is fairly clear-cut and dis- 

 tinct in some and rather indistinct in others. Its lines 

 are fairly thick and straight and expand towards the 

 proximal and distal ends, and they are sometimes hazj^, 

 often bent, or sometimes bisected. 



The degree of polarization is rather low to fairly high, 

 on the whole fair. There is often considerable variation in the same aspect of a given grain. There 

 is a greater variation than in E. dens-canis, but on the whole it is higher. 



With selenite the quadrants are usually quite well defined, irregular in shape, and unequal in 

 size. The colors are not quite pure, the bhie being pure, l)ut the yellow not quite pure. They are 

 purer than in E. dens-canis. 



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

 violet; with 0.125 per cent solution they color lightly and the color does not deepen rapidly. The 

 color is shghtly less than that of the grains of E. dens-canis. After heating in water imtil ail the 

 grains are completely gelatinized, the solution colors fairly and the swollen grains deeply on the 

 addition of iodine. After boiling for 2 minutes the solution colors very deeply and the grain-residues 

 lightly or not at all. The capsules all color a red-violet with a slight excess of iodine. 



Staining Reactions. — With gentian violet the grains begin to stain lightly at once and in 30 min- 

 utes they are fairly stained. The color is much deeper than that of E. dens-canis. 



With safranin the grains begin to stain at once and in 30 minutes they are fairly deeply stained. 

 The color is much deeper than that of E. dens-canis. 



Temperature Reaction. — The temperature of gelatinization is 57.2° to 58.6° C, mean 57.9°. 



Effects of Various Reagents. — With chloral hydrate-iodine reaction begins in most grains 

 in 30 seconds, and is over in 5J^ minutes. It is the same qualitatively as that of the grains 

 of E. dens-canis. 



Reaction with chromic add begins at once and is over in 25 seconds. It is probably the same 

 qualitatively as that of the grains of E. dens-canis. 

 38 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of Erythronium 

 caUfornicum. 



