XXXI. 



NEW POINTS IN THE ZOOLOGY OF 

 NEW GUINEA. 



The author commenced by saying that the zoology of New 

 Guinea has had a great deal of research bestowed upon it, and will 

 yet have a great deal more^ as a consequence of the profit which 

 has already resulted. A point which recent zoological discoveries 

 in New Guinea throw light upon is that there was a dry land 

 passage at one time between Australia and New Guinea, recent 

 discoveries in the latter country having revealed the presence there 

 of animals similar to, or identical with, some found in Australia. 

 This is held as proof that where Torres Strait now is there was 

 once dry land. But against this hypothesis is urged the difference 

 between the vegetation of the two islands. This, however, is 

 accounted for by what Herbert Spencer calls the circumambient 

 medium. Though people are inclined to think vegetables consider- 

 ably less sensitive than animals, sometimes they are more sensitive 

 to heat and dryness ; and the author believes that it is the greater 

 tenderness of the vegetation in those countries which accounts for 

 the disparity observable between the vegetable growths of New 

 Guinea and those of Australia. In the centre of New Guinea there 

 is a high range of mountains, which attract and impart moisture to 

 the surrounding country; while the interior of Australia consists 

 of great barren plains, which harbour no moisture. The plants, as 

 they have not had the means to protect themselves available to 

 animals, have gradually altered their form to accommodate them- 

 selves to circumstances. A curious creature, covered with prickles, 

 living on ants and other insects, and unprovided with means of 

 militant operations, is found on both sides of the Straits. Two 

 kinds of Echidna have also been discovered in New Guinea, and 



