OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 31 



MEMBER PROPOSED. 



John Living, Esq., Sydney. 



PAPERS READ. 



Note of a Species of Echidna (Tachyglossus), from Port Moresby, 

 New Guinea — by E. P. Ramsay, F.L.S. 



Should any further proof be necessary of the close relationship 

 of the Fauna of New Guinea, with that of Australia, it will be found 

 in the fact that not less than two species of the peculiar and 

 hitherto strictly Australian genus Echidna, or Tachyglossus, of 

 Illiger, (1811) have been lately discovered there, one in the Nor- 

 thern parts of the Island, the other in the South, at Port Moresby. 



Through the kindness of a friend at Genoa, I am enabled to 

 lay before you this evening a paper on the first-mentioned of these 

 species, Tachyglossus Bruijnii (Peters e Doria), containing a 

 sketch of the head, from which it is evident that this species is 

 quite distinct from any of those hitherto found in Australia ; and 

 through the liberality of the Rev. Mr. Lawes, who has lately 

 presented a fine specimen of the Port Moresby species to the 

 Museum, I am enabled to exhibit a rough sketch of the head and 

 feet, and the quills, and to make some remarks on this very 

 interesting and valuable addition to our Museum collection. 



Tachyglossus Bruijnii is distinguished chiefly by the great 

 length of the snout, which is about three times the length of the 

 head. The Port Moresby species is distinguished chiefly by the 

 long, thin, and cylindrical form of the quills, and the stiff flat 

 hair like bristles, on the face ; and other differences, which will 

 be observed in the present description. The honor of the 

 discovery of this second New Guinea species is due to the Rev. 

 Mr. Lawes, who some few months ago obtained a young specimen 

 with a remarkably short bill, which I believe has been sent to 

 England. The 2nd specimen, obtained by the same gentleman, a 

 fine and apparently full-grown male animal, has been presented 

 to the Museum, and from this I have taken the following descrip- 

 tion. 



