GBNtTB MUSCARI. 681 



and usually one very prominent lamella about one-third the distance between the hilum and distal 

 end. There are about 14 lamella; on the larger grains. 



The grains vary in size from 4 to 34/i. The common size is 20^. 



Polariscopic Properties.— The figure is centric or slightly eccentric, distinct, and fairly clear-cut. 

 Its lines are straight and rather thick, becoming somewhat thicker towards the margin. 



The degree of polarization is high. It ranges from high in the large grains to fair in the smallest 

 grains. It varies sometimes in the same aspect of a given grain. 



With seleniie the quadrants in the small grains are fairly well defined, quite regular in shape, 

 and about equal size. In some of the large grains they are slightly irregular in shape, with varia- 

 tions in size. The colors are bright and 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 quickly. The color is 

 not quite so deep as that of the grains of M. botryoides. After heating in water until all the 

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

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

 deeply, lightly, or not at all. The capsules all color a reddish-violet on the addition of an excess 

 of iodine. 



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

 are fairly deeply stained, more than those of M. botryoides. 



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

 the same as those of M. botryoides. 



Temperature Reaction. — The temperature of gelatinization is 68.5° to 70° C, mean 69.25°. 



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

 in 30 seconds. About half are gelatinized in 6 minutes, nearly all in 13 minutes, and all in 20 minutes. 

 The reaction is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



The reaction with chromic add begins in all the grains in 30 seconds and is over in 1^ minutes. 

 It is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



Reaction with pyrognllic acid begins in most grains in 15 seconds. Nearly all are completely 

 gelatinized and the rest partially gelatinized in 5 minutes and all are completely gelatinized in 7 

 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively the same as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



Reaction with ferric chloride begins in some grains in 30 seconds and is over in 15 minutes. 

 It is the same qualitatively as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



The reaction with Purdy's solution begins in some grains in 15 seconds. About one-third are 

 nearly completely gelatinized in 33/2 minutes and half in 10 minutes. The reaction is qualitatively 

 the same as that of the grains of M. botryoides. 



STARCH OF MUSCARI CONICUM. (Plate 43, figs. 255 and 256. Chart 166.) 



Histological Characteristics. — In form the grains are usually simple, and sometimes compound 

 in the form of two components. The simple grains are isolated, with the exception of a few in small 

 aggregates, mostly in the form of doublets, and very few clumps. Pressure facets are sometimes 

 found on the isolated grains. The surface often shows slight irregularities due to occasional depres- 

 sions at the distal end and to the protuberances sometimes found at different points on the margin. 

 The conspicuous forms are round, oval to ovoid, and transitional forms to the clam-shell-shaped. 

 When seen on edge the grains are lenticular, flattened elliptical, or rounded wedge-shaped. The 

 resemblance to M. botryoides is quite close, but both the hila and the lamellae are less conspicuous, 

 the latter especially on the outer third of the grain; and there is a greater tendency to the oval type 

 of grain. 



The hilum is a rather distinct, round or oval spot, centric on the round forms, and eccentric 

 two-fifths to one-third of the longitudinal axis in the large forms. It is rarely fissured, but there 

 may be one short, transverse or longitudinal fissure, or a small, cross-shaped fissure. 



The lamellce are fairly distinct, rather coarse, complete rings or ellipses near the hilum, but 

 having the shape of the margin when located near distal margin; in many they appear incomplete 

 in the distal region. There are 1 to 3 very distinct lamellae at varying distances, chiefly one-third 

 and two-thirds from the hilum. Near the distal end and margin they are usually finer than those 

 around the hilum and to within two-thirds or three-fourths of the distance between it and the distal 

 end. There are about 13 on the larger grains. 



