126 ON RODENTS ETC. FROM DUKE-OF-YORK ISLAND. [Feb. 20, 
5. Cuscus ORIENTALIS. 
Didelphys orientalis, Pallas, Misc. Zool. p. 59. 
An adult female Cuseus in skin and a half-grown female in spirits 
are strikingly different in appearance ; but I cannot at present sepa- 
rate them from this very variable species. The former is of a dark 
sooty grey above, with an obscure dorsal streak; the fur is very 
close and woolly ; and the tips of the hairs have a bright silvery 
lustre. The latter (which measures, head and body, 8°80 inches, 
tail 7°80 inches) is bright shining rufous above, slightly washed with 
black, but with no definite dorsal streak ; lower parts and spot 
below ear light yellow. 
Both differ from the characters usual given of C. orientalis in 
having only ¢wo small incisors behind the large central lower pair, 
and in wanting the small extra premolar in the upper jaw. But, 
as Mr. Waterhouse has observed!, these small teeth are not to be 
trusted in this group. I find that a skull of C. wrsinus in the 
British Museum has two small incisors on one side and three on the 
other; and of two skulls of C. celebensis, Gray, a male has one only 
in each ramus, while a female has one on the right and three on the 
left. In all other essential characters Mr. Brown’s specimens agree 
with C. orientalis; and it must be left to future observation to show 
whether the peculiarity of their dentition is or is not constant. 
According to Lesson and Garnot this animal is termed Kapoune by 
the natives of New Ireland, with whom it is a favourite article of food?. 
6. Macropus LUGENS, sp.n. (Plate XIX.) 
Muffle entirely naked, the bare space extending in a band over 
each nostril. Ears moderate, sparsely haired except near the base. 
Tail clad for the first three inches with short woolly hair, thence to 
the end scaly, nearly naked at the sides, more thickly clad above 
and below with short stiffish hairs. Fur moderately soft, not close- 
set, with no under-fur; hair of occiput radiating from a point a 
little behind the ears, that of the nape directed backwards, that of 
the vertex forwards, forming a transverse crest where it meets the 
fur of the forehead and temples. Hair of breast radiating from each 
axilla, that of the throat and chin directed forwards. 
Upper parts almost uniform umber-brown, darkest on the back, 
the hairs unicolorous to the base, flanks and thighs lighter, feet 
darker brown. From the upper lip a broad but ill-defined brownish- 
white stripe passes to below the eye. Chin brownish black ; throat, 
breast, and belly pale isabelline. 
Approximate measurements (in skin) of an immature male :— 
Length of head and body......-......... 22-00 
‘ GAG cepa paremece athec Pesan isicke 3°50 
55 ear Re acs Se NG che 1°75 
% Cail eet es lee ee eral Ld 14:00 
» hind foot (without claw). . » 5 ee 
1 Nat. Hist. Mamm. i. p. 265. ? Voy. de la afore ne Zool. i. p. 158. 
