602 STARCHES OF LILIACE^. 



PoUiriscopic Properties. — The figure is eccentric, usually clear-cut, and distinct. The lines 

 occasionally become broader but less sharp near the margin. They may be slightly bent and other- 

 wise distorted. 



The degree of polarization is fairly high. It is apt to be higher when the grain is viewed from 

 the end, and varies somewhat in different grains. As a whole, the grains are less polariscopic than 

 those of B. peduncularis. 



With selenite the quadrants, as a rule, are well defined, irregular in shape, and unequal in size. 

 The colors are usually pure. 



Iodine Reactions. — With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solution the grains are colored deeply a blue- 

 violet; with 0.125 per cent solution the grains color fairly and the color deepens slowly. The color is 

 the same as that of the grains of B. peduncularis. After heating until the grains are completely gelat- 

 inized, the solution is colored lightly and the grains deeply with iodine. A few capsules are colored 

 violet at the distal end. After boiling for 2 minutes, the solution is colored much more deeply, but 

 the grain-residues much less deeply or not at all. When a slight excess of iodine is used the capsules 

 are colored a red-violet, and most of them still contain blue-reacting starch in the proximal end. 



Staining Reactions. — ^With gentian violet the grains stain very slightly at once, but after 30 

 minutes are lightly colored, some more than others. The color is the same as that of the grains of 

 B. peduncularis. 



With safranin the grains stain very lightly at once and after 30 minutes are light colored. 

 They are slightly more stained than those of B. peduncularis. 



Temperature Reaction. — The temperature of gelatinization is 67.2° to 69° C, mean 68.1°. 



Effects of Various Reagents. — With chloral hydrate-iodine some of the smaller grains begin to 

 react in 2 minutes, and a majority of the grains show reaction in 5 minutes. About half are fully 

 gelatinized in 30 minutes and about two-thirds are gelatinized in IJ/^ hours, but the others are unaf- 

 fected. There is no further change. This reaction is qualitatively the same as that observed in 

 the grains of B. peduncularis. 



Reaction with chromic acid generally begins in 30 seconds and is over in 10 minutes. This 

 reaction is qualitatively the same as that of the grains of B. peduncularis. 



With pyrogallic acid some of the small grains begin to react in a minute, and the reaction is 

 general in 2 minutes. About half are fully gelatinized in 14 minutes and almost ail in 40 minutes. 

 Some grains never completely gelatinize. There is no further change in an hour. The reaction is 

 qualitatively the same as that of the grains of B. peduncularis. 



Reaction with ferric chloride begins in some of the smaller grains in 3 minutes. About one- 

 fourth of the grains are gelatinized in 8 minutes, but most of the others are not affected. Most 

 grains are gelatinized in 25 minutes and all within IJ^ hours. The reaction is qualitatively the same 

 as that of the grains of B. peduncularis. 



With Purdy's solution some of the smaller grains begin to react in a minute. A few more show 

 enlargement of the hilum in 15 minutes. About one-third are affected, a few show partial gelatiniz- 

 ation, and others a slight swelling of the hilum in 13^ hours. The reaction is the same as that of the 

 grains of B. peduncularis. 



STARCH OF BRODIiEA CAPITATA. (Plate 48, figs. 285 and 286. Chart 181.) 



Histological Characteristics. — In form the grains are simple, with the exception of a few com- 

 pound grains which consist of a variable number of components; among the smaller grains there 

 are frequently small aggregates, and some of the larger have one smaller grain adherent to the 

 surface. The siu'face is quite regular, and there are comparatively few of the nipple-like processes 

 so evident in certain species of Brodicea. The conspicuous form is the ovoid to nearly round, oval, 

 and ellipsoidal. The grains are of much the same width and thickness at any given diameter. 

 When viewed from the end they appear spherical. 



The hilum when not fissured is a not very distinct, comparatively large, roimd spot, situated 

 eccentrically about one-third of the longitudinal axis of the grains, usually in the median line. 

 Multiple hila are not uncommon, and there may be 1 to 4 or even more. The hila may be separated 

 by small fissures, or closely grouped in a non-lamellated space, around which the lamellae are seen. 

 All, some, or none of the hila may be fissured. The single hilum is usually fissured, but the fissure 

 is commonly not deep. Frequently there is but one transverse or diagonal fissure, which may be 

 clear-cut and have a double curve. Ragged, 3-armed, and irregular stellate fissures are not uncommon. 



