62 CLASS-BOOK OF BOTANY. 
looking), with small leaves, and readily distinguished in 
autumn by their crimson, orange, or blue-striped berries 
(drupes). Karamu or Stinkwood, Mika-mik(a), Tatarahake, 
&c., are some of the names given to different species. 
Coprosma robusta, one of the conimonest species, may be 
taken as a type, though it matters little which one is studied, 
The leaves are simple, entire, and placed in opposite-pairs. 
Instead of having a distinct pair of stipules on each petiole, 
those of two leaves have joined on the same side of the stem, 
thus forming—not four stipules to each pair of leaves, but— 
two interpetiolar stipules. Note carefully the flowers, which 
are very inconspicuous in size and colour. 
They are absolutely dicecious, but you are 
almost certain to find two or more plants — 
growing near one another, and showing 
Fig. 108. Coprosma the two kinds. On the ¢ plants the 
leaves with inter- flowers have a minute 4—5-toothed calyx, a 
petiolar stipules. pendulous 4—5-toothed bell-shaped (—cam- 
7 panulate*) corolla, which is greyish- 
green in colour; and 4 epipetalous stamens. These have 
slender filaments and versatilet anthers (¢e., they are 
fastened to their filaments by a smail point in the middle of 
their dorsal surface, and by this means they swing about 
very readily), and they hang a good length out of the flower. 
There is no trace of an ovary. 
Fig. 109. ¢ flowers of Coprosina Fig. 116. ¢ flower of Coprosiad 
propingua (mag.).  propingia. 
Next examine a 92 plant. ‘The flowers are even less 
conspicuous than in the g plant, being smaller and more 
sparingly produced. 'The ovary is inferior, and has the calyx- 
tube adnate to it, the limb being either undeveloped or repre- 
sented by 4-8 very minute teeth. The corolla is narrower 
than im the ¢ flowers, and is usually 4-toothed. There are 
eee SS SS ee 
* Lat. campanula, a little bell. 
} Lat. versatelis, that tums round. 
