220 Transactions. — Botany. 



fcetidisshna ; C. myrtiUi folia, which was based on barren speci- 

 mens, has been abandoned, and is probably identical with C. 

 parviflora ; while it is doubtful whether there ia any real dis- 

 tinction between C. repens and C. piumila. 



In 1854, Sir Joseph Hooker brought out his " Flora Nov® 

 Zealandiffi." Botanists resident in New Zealand, especially 

 Mr. Colenso and Dr. Sinclair, had sent large collections to Kew 

 to be used in the preparation of this work, and among them no 

 small number of Coprosma. The material thus brought to- 

 gether, though still imperfect, was much more extensive than 

 that at the disposal of any of Hooker's predecessors, and it is 

 needless to say that it was worked up with his customary care 

 and accuracy, with the result of producing the first intelligible 

 and comprehensive account of the genus. Nineteen species 

 were described, of which five were new. The principal mistake 

 made was in confusing a number of distinct and dissimilar 

 species under the head of '). myriillifolia, C. divaricata, smd. 0. 

 projnnqua ; but probably the specimens were not good enough, or 

 complete enough, to show the distinction existing between them. 



The arrangement followed in the more recently-issued 

 "Handbook," differs slightly from that given in the " Flora," 

 but there are no changes of any importance. The species con- 

 fused with C. projnnqua and C. myrtillifolia (= C. parviflora) are 

 separated and put into their proper places, but no less than four 

 distinct species are still included in 0. divaricata. The disad- 

 vantage of working entirely on dried specimens is shown by the 

 fact that in the specific descriptions hardly any use is made of 

 the shape of the fruit, whereas it often gives good distinctive 

 characters. The total number of species admitted in the 

 " Handbook" is 24. Since its publication, no memoir treating 

 of the genus as a whole has appeared, although from time to 

 time new species have been described by Mr. Kirk, Mr. Petrie, 

 Mr. Colenso, and myself. 



The following summary sketch of the range of variation 

 in the vegetative and floral characters of the genus may be 

 useful to those who have not previously studied the species in 

 detail : — 



Habit, etc. — The greater number of the species are closely- 

 branched shrubs, varying from G to 12 or 15 feet in height. 

 Some attain the stature of small trees, the largest being C. 

 arhorca, wliich is sometimes 30 feet in height, with a trunk 

 18 inches in diameter. C. haueriana is remarkable for its great 

 range in size, according to situation and exposure. When 

 growing on black maritime rocks it is often under 2 or 3 feet; 

 while in sheltered places, on rich sandy soil, specimens 25 feet 

 in height have been measured. C. areolata, C. propinqua, and 

 C.Jcetidissiuia occasionally reach 16 or 20 feet, although usually 

 less than that. C. eerrulata is the smallest of the large-leaved 



