722 Microscopic Crystals contained in Plants. (October, 
1. Raphides—The term raphid is from the Greek gagi, a needle, 
and was formerly applied by De Candolle to crystals resembling 
a needle in form. . 
Prof. Gulliver gives the following definition of the term: 
“These are slender needle-like crystals with rounded, smooth 
shafts, vanishing at each end to a point, from about ten to fifty or 
more lying parallel together so as to form a bundle, which par- 
tially fills a cell or intercellular space.” 
I have never been able to find over thirty in one cell, and gen- 
erally from five to twenty-five. The cells which contain them 
are generally elongate, or quite oval. To obtain these crystals in a 
bundle and still have a thin section fit for microscopical work, a 
steady hand and great care are required, as they are easily dis- 
turbed, when they will be seen scattered in every direction. Often 
on slight pressure they are seen to escape, one by one, quickly 
from one or both ends of the cell. When this occurs they are - 
then known as “ Biforines.” The bundle of crystals is very loose 
and might be compared to a bundle of needles. 
The genus 77i//ium affords a good example for the investiga- 
tion of these crystals, and still better the species of the family 
Aracee, with one exception which will be mentioned soon. In 
this family the raphides are found in great abundance and are 
about the largest that I have seen. As the plants of this order 
are very common, any one may examine them at pleasure. They 
may be found in any part but are best seen in the stem. 
2. Spheraphides—This word is from the Greek egarpa, a sphere 
or globe, and fagis, a needle or pin. “They are more or less 
rounded forms made up of a congeries of crystals, many of which 
are prisms, often acicular.” As they often have points extending 
in all directions from the main body of the crystal, they appear 
rough and frequently stellate ; they are generally found regularly 
placed, one imbedded in the substance of each cell. A collection 
of cells containing these crystals is known as a “ spheraphid 
tissue.” e 
The flower parts of the geranium serve as a good field for 
observing them. These crystals are very common and are found, 
in connection with raphides in the family Vitaceee. But the best 
place to examine them is in the family Cactacez. These crystals 
as well as the next class were formerly known, incorrectly, under 
the common name “ Raphides.” ; 
