()0 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



are deciduous. The Cedars, again, differ from the Larches 

 ui keeping their leaves for several years, and in bearing closely 

 nnbricated cones. Tlie stamens of the Junipers and Cypresses 

 bear spheroidal pollen, instead of oval, as do the Pines ; and the 

 Yew is easil)- distinguished by its coral-like drupes or berries. 

 The leaves of this tree are poisonous to animals, but the 

 l)erries appear to be innocuous. The Yew attains to a great 

 age, and has been reckoned to live f(H' three or four hundred 

 >ears. 



The woody tissue of the Conifers is noted for the absence of 

 ilucts or vessels, and the presence at the same time of 

 liordered pits. This structure can be readily perceived even 

 111 silicified wood. There is a similar structure in some of the 

 ^lagnoliaceae, such as Driiiii/s, etc., but the character of this 

 wood differs consideral)ly in other ways. The New Zealand 

 Coniferae include the Kauri, the Ivahikatea, the Totara, the 

 Eimu, the ^Nlatai, the Tanekaha, tire ^liro, etc. The Tanekaha 

 {PhyUdcIadiis) possesses only scale-leaves, the functions 

 of the leaves being performed Ijy leaf-like flattened 

 Ijranchlets (phylloclades). The genus Agathis is an ancient 

 one, related to the Aiiracarias (Monkey Puzzle, etc.) 



Kej/ to llic Genent. 

 1 . Fniit a cone. 2 



Fruit a. nut or drupe. 3 



1. Lea\es olilon;^. Cone lar^'e, of many over- 



lai)|)ing scales. .\gatliis, p. 60. 

 Lea\es small. (Jone of few, erect, \vood>' 



scales. rjibocedrns, p. 66. 



3. Fruit !i drupe, on fleshy, scarlet jieduncle. Poiloeariius. p. 68. 

 Fruit a nut in a fleshy cup. 4 



4. Stems flattened into fan-shajied l)h>']loelades. Phyllocladus, ii 76. 

 Tiea\es linear or scale-like. Dacrjxlium, p. 74. 



Genus Agaflii'i. 



This genus is found only in Australiu, Nc^\y Zealand, the Malayan and Fiji 

 Islands, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia. Leaves flat, broad, xiarallel-veined ; 

 ovule solitary. Si-ed winged, .iijatliin nrieiitiilis of the East Indies is romarkahlc 

 for the nuantity of \aluable resin [Dniiuiiiir) whieli it produces. (Name from the 

 <ireek nu.-a,ning </ hnll of threiid, in allusion to the nearly spherical cone). 1 sp.* 



'The nunilier of species from New Zealand and the outlyin(4 islands recorded in 

 i'heesenian's Handbook. 



