58 
REPORT ON BOTANY, MDCCCXLI : 
granules blue, but lias not that effect upon these nodules ; tlie 
tincture of iodine, on tlie other hand, gradually colours the 
nodules of an amethyst colour ; they then become claret coloured, 
and, on an incision being made into them, this colour gradually 
distributes itself. These colours, however, soon disappear 
again, especially if there is a warm temperature ; no trace of 
blue can be detected. The nodules, therefore, are not starch. 
The roots of all other Oplirydece, European or otherwise, 
which the author had an opportunity of examining, were 
formed, in every essential point of view, like those of Saty- 
rium pallidum. The only points of difference presented, 
were the size and the shape of the nodules, and the relation 
which they bore to the surrounding cellular tissue, and the 
colour which the nodules assume when exposed to the air. 
On crushing the nodules, it was found that they consisted of 
very small transparent cells. The author endeavours to 
explain the reasons which induced Guibourt and Payen to 
describe the Salep as consisting principally of starch, and is 
of opinion, that they boiled the tubers of Salep and afterwards 
dried them again. By this process he supposes the starch to 
have been dissolved, and to have flowed over the nodnles, thus 
rendering them incapable of being recognized. He adds. The 
principal characteristic of the tubers of Salep does not owe its 
origin to the starch, but rather to that gummy-like substance 
which for the present he would call bassorin. The remarks 
of the author deserve attention. It is well known, that the 
powder of the tubers of Salep swells in cold water, which 
granules of starch do not. Besides the starch, there is another 
substance likewise found in the tubers of Salep and other 
OrcMdeee, which is not coloured blue on the application of 
iodine. This is found in the nodules of the author ; into the 
investigation of this substance I did not enter at the time. 
Unformed starch, the same as if the tubers had been boiled, 
I have seen in the fresh roots of Orchis latifolia, which I 
have alluded to before. I must leave it open to discussion, as 
to whether the Salep roots, that are sold in the market, are 
boiled, and afterwards dried again. 
450 
