546 MR. O. THOMAS ON MAMMALS FROM NYASSALAND. [NoV. 1, 



Total length of Pr. nigro-aculeata, measured in the flesh, 31 inches, 

 while Gervais gives as the greatest length of Pr. Iruijni 24 inches. 

 Hab. Charles Louis Mountains, Dutch New Guinea. 



I append here for reference the habitats of the other two descrihed 

 forms of Proechidna : — 



Pr. bruijni and its varieties P. villosissima and P. leucocephala : 

 Arfak Mountains, Dutch New Guinea. 



Pr. novcB-guinecE : Fiaisterre Mountains, German New Guinea. 



2. ACROBATES PULCHELLUS, Sp. nOV. 



I venture to think that this discovery of the late A. Bruijn's will 

 prove of extreme interest to zoologists as adding a second species to 

 a genus hitherto represented by a single form, and also as proving 

 the much wider geographical distribution of a highly specialized 

 genus. 



This species differs from Acrobates pygmceus oi '^q'vi South Wales 

 in its more purplish-brown colour, its broader and more robust head, 

 much shorter tail, and comparatively smaller body. On the ventral 

 surface it is much whiter than A. pygmceus^ and the whole of the 

 throat and sides of the lower jaw are pure white, while in A. pygmmis 

 they are yellowish grey. Round the eyes and reaching almost to the 

 nostrils is a blackish-brown patch. Ears rather smaller than in 

 A. pygmaus. Tail in A. pulchellus 2\ inches long, while in A. 

 pygmceus it is 3|. 



Hab. One of the small islands in Northern Dutch New Guinea. 



2. On Mammals from Nyassaland. 

 By Oldfield Thomas, F.Z.S. 



[Eeceived August 20, 1892.] 



By the kindness of Mr. Sclater I have been entrusted with the 

 examination of the fine series of Mammalia sent home to him by 

 Mr. H. H. Johnston, C.B., F.Z.S., Consul-General of Mozambique 

 and H.M. Commissioner for Nyassaland, under (vhose auspices they 

 were collected by Mr. Alexander Whyte, F.Z.S., a trained naturalist 

 and collector on Mr. Johnston's staff, who is engaged in investi- 

 gating the fauna and flora of Nyassaland. It is impossible to speak 

 too highly of the scientific energy and public spirit of Mr. Johnston 

 in thus furthering our knowledge of the natural productions of the 

 region which he is called upon to govern — conduct very greatly in 

 contrast to that of many Englishmen in official positions, who, under 

 the name of sport, exterminate the native fauna of many most in- 

 teresting localities, without a thought either for the needs of science 

 at large or for those of their own National Museum in particular. Of 

 the specimens now sent home a full set is presented by Mr. Johnston 

 to the Museum, as is also the case with the birds, reptiles, and 

 animals of all classes, as well as with the plants which he has been 

 instrumental in getting collected for the benefit of science. 



