668 



STARCHES OP AMARYLLIDACE^. 



With chromic add the reaction begins in IJ^ minutes and is over in 5 minutes. It is the same 

 qualitatively as that of the grains of N. horsfieJdii. 



With pyrogallic acid the reaction begins in 2J^ minutes. About one-third are gelatinized in 

 15 minutes, one-half in 22 minutes, two-thirds in 27 minutes, and all in 38 minutes. The reaction 

 is quahtatively the same as that of the grains of JV. horsfieUii. 



With ferric chloride the reaction beguis in a few grains in 4 minutes. About one-third are 

 gelatinized in 15 minutes, one-half in 20 minutes, five-sixths in 27 minutes, and all in 7 hours. The 

 reaction is qualitatively the same as that of the grains of A'^. horsfieldii. 



With Purdy's solution there is a slight reaction in 23^ minutes, and a very few are completely 

 or partially gelatinized in 12 minutes. The reaction is incomplete in an hour. It is qualitatively 

 the same as that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. 



STARCH OF NARCISSUS BULBOCODIUM. (Plate 59, figs. 349 and 350. Chart 230.) 



Histological Characteristics. — In form the grains are usually simple. There are some compound 

 grains and aggregates which usually consist of two components. Occasionally grains are seen which 

 are marked with well-defined pressure facets. The surface of the grains is often quite smooth, but 

 rounded protuberances and nipple-like processes are not imcommon. The conspicuous forms are 

 the ovoid to oval and elliptical, one end being less wide than the other, the former usually being the 

 distal end. There are also spherical, bean-shaped, pyriform, triangular, and irregularly quadrilat- 

 eral, hemispherical, and irregular forms. Some of the broader forms are about half as thick as they 

 are broad, but the majority are of about the same thickness as width. 



The hilum is comparatively small and not very distinct. It is round, usually eccentric about 

 two-fifths to one-third of the longitudinal axis, and in or not far from the median line. Rarely the 

 hilum is lenticular or elliptical in shape. There may be double or multiple hila grouped together, 

 usually linearly, in a non-lamellated space. Commonly 

 one long fissure, often with branches at each hilum, runs 

 through the line of hila and extends into the grain be- 

 yond on each side. Often the single hilum has a small, 

 irregular, transverse or diagonal fissure. 



The lamellcB are not distinct. They are compara- 

 tively coarse, continuous rings. If multiple hila exist 

 in one grain the lamellae often show irregularities cor- 

 responding to those of the form of the hilum space. 

 They are less distinct but more regular and tend to 

 follow the outline of the margin when they are near 

 the margin. There are usually 6 to 10 on the larger 

 grains. 



The grains vary in size from 5 to 54/i. The common 

 size is 32/1. 



Polariscopic Properties. — The figure is usually eccen- 

 tric, sometimes distinct and generally not clear-cut. 

 Some or all of the lines may become broader and less dis- 

 tinctly defined as they near the margin. The lines are 

 frequently somewhat bent or otherwise distorted. 



The degree of polarization is high. It is low in some of the grains, and especially at the distal 

 end or centrally. It always varies with the position of the grain. Large areas may sometimes be 

 seen which are dark. The grains are slightly less polariscopic than those of A^. horsfieldii. 



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

 size. The colors are generally very pure. 



Iodine Reaction. — With 0.25 per cent Lugol's solution the grains are colored deeply at once 

 a blue-violet; with 0.125 per cent solution they color lightly and the shade deepens slowly. The 

 color is slightly deeper than that of the grains of N. horsfieldii. After heating in water imtil the grains 

 are completely gelatinized, the solution is colored lightly and the grains very deeply upon the ad- 

 dition of iodine. Some of the grains which contain little blue-reacting starch are of a dark-violet 

 color. After boiling for 2 minutes the solution is colored more deeply, but the grain-residues much 

 less. Most of the latter contain blue-reacting starch, and all have a pinkish-violet colored capsule. 



Curve of Reaction-Intensities of Starch of Narcissus 

 bulbocodium. 



