

NOTES ON ZOOLOGY OF THE MACLAY-COAST (1) IN 

 NEW GUINEA. 



By N. de Miklouho-Maclay. 



Leaving the description of anatomical investigations of different 

 animals obtained at the Maclay-Coast (in 1871-72 and 1876-77), 

 tc form the comparative-anatomical supplement of my work of 

 travels (1870-1882), which will be published in Europe by-and- 

 bye, I intend to bring before this Society a few remarks concern- 

 ing the systematical position of some the animals collected. 



I. — On a New Sub-Genus of Peramelid^e : Brachymelis. 

 (Plate XXXVIII.) 



In July or August, when the rain-falls are less frequent on 

 the north-east coast of New Guinea than in the other months of 

 the year (2), and when the coarse grass, which covers the valleys 

 and slopes of the hills near the coast becomes nearly dry, the 

 natives of neighbouring villages fix a day for a common sport. 

 On the fixed day they assemble early in the morning, armed with 



(1) To the portion of the north coast of New C4uinea, between Cape 

 Croisilles and Cape King William, a coast line of about 150 miles, extending 

 inland for an average distance of 30—50 miles to the highest ranges of the 

 Mountains Mana-boro-boro (or Finisterre Mountains), I have given the 

 name of the Maclay-Coast, so far back as 1872 (Natuurkundig Tijdschrift 

 voor Nederlandsch Indie, Batavia, 1872,) for greater convenience of 

 reference in scientific description by avoiding the constant repetition of its 

 geographical position. 



(2) N. de Maclay. Notice Met^orologique concernant la Cote-Haclay 

 en Nouvelle-Guin^e, published in the Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Neder- 

 landsch Indie. Batavia, 1873. 



