Biology of the Plants. i 269 
are large, measuring 20x ı3 cm and 18 X 4.5 cm respectively. The otherwise 
excessive transpiration from the wide surface is checked by a thick tomentum on 
the under-surface. Metrosideros lucida, Nothopanax simplex and Dracophyllum 
longifolium have leaves respectively measuring 5 X 1.9 cm; from 6.5 x 2 cm to 
10.5 3cm and ı6cm> 3 mm. The last-named has long, narrow leaves 
tapering to a fine point, sheathing at the base, concave on the upper surface 
and bunched together, 15 or more at the apices of the ultimate branchlets, after 
the manner of a tufted grass. They are also vertical or thereabouts and the 
inner leaves are sheltered by those withered. This strongly xerophytic form 
leads to the tree occupying the most exposed station in the forest or, as a 
shrub, growing on wind-swept slopes. 
The tree-fern (Hemitelia Smithii) must be considered a tree, though in the 
Aucklands it does not exceed 2 m in height. Its leaves are thin. 
b. Shrubs. 
Shrubs number ı4. Three‘) are occasionally trees with a distinct trunk. 
Four are of the divaricating form; 2 of the Dracophyllum-form, already de- 
 seribed; 4 of the bushy-shrub form; ı of the low straggling-shrub form; ı of 
the mat or flat-cushion form; ı of the erect, bushy tree-composite form and 
2. of the tree-fern form. All, except the Fuchsia are evergreen. 
All have small, except the fern, coriaceous, except the Fuchsia, and ecol- 
ogically glabrous leaves except those of Cassinza Vawvilliersii which are toment-. 
ose beneath. The 2 species of Dracophyllum have leaves after the manner 
of those of D. longifolium, described above, but those of D. scoparium are 
‚shorter and thicker and those of D. sudantarchcum more slender and grasslike. 
The Styphelia has “ small, linear, ericoid iD, a 
T and with recurved nn 
_ The branches of the ra are gen 
form are stiff and more or less rigid; 
