398 Transactions. 



and do not bear any distinct relation to the vascular bundles, 

 as those of Ligusticum appear to do. These in Coprosma are 

 just intercellular spaces left in the palisade tissue. The spongy 

 tissue (sp.) is made up of irregularly shaped cells with numerous 

 small intercellular spaces between them. The vascular bundles 

 (v.b.) are surrounded by an endodermal layer (endo.) of parenchy- 

 matous cells of varying thickness. 



There are no pits on the leaves of this species, and no hypo- 

 dermal water-storage layer, as described for other larger species 

 by Miss Greensill (1902). 



Coprosma repens, Hook, f., Fl. Antarc. 



; ' A small glabrous creeping matted species. Bark grey. 

 Branches from 1 in. to 2 ft. in length, sometimes flaccid, densely 

 leafy. Leaves close-set, rarely distant or fascicled, suberect or 

 spreading, T ^ in. to | in. long, linear-oblong or broadly oblong 

 to linear or broadly obovate, rounded at the tips or subacute, 

 narrowed into very short broad petioles, veinless, very cori- 

 aceous, margins thickened. Stipules broad, obtuse, usually 

 glabrous."* 



In the leaves of the plant growing on the rockery a mid- 

 rib was distinctly visible, and on examining a transverse section 

 the presence of several smaller veins was revealed. 



Hab. — This plant occurs on Auckland Island in the subalpine 

 meadow, the soil of which is in some places so wet as to deserve 

 the name of bog. Its stems here are described as fleshy. 



On Campbell Island it occurs in a much bleaker situation 

 on the subalpine tussock meadow, where there are colder winds 

 and the frosts are longer and more severe than at a lower level. 

 Here its growth is stunted. ' Wind is here the determining 

 factor as to whether grass or arborescent growth shall pre- 

 dominate " (p. 278). 



On Antipodes Island, in the tussock meadows where there is 

 a badly drained and poorly nourished soil, the Coprosma bushes 

 are also stunted in their growth, and this where the soil is of a 

 soft peaty nature, and so moist that " it can be quickly kneaded 

 into the consistency of porridge." In the bog formation, where 

 ; ' water can be readily wrung out of the surface soil," Coprosma 

 repens is again found. 



The small plant growing on the rockery illustrates strikingly 

 the peripheral position of the leaves. The bare stem, about 

 2 ft. in length, bends right over and almost buries its leafy 

 terminal portion in the soil, so that I was for some time in danger 

 of overlooking it altogether. Its anatomical structure presents 



* Kirk (1899), p. "245. 



