378 



EOHIDNID^. 



Tachyglossus lawesi, Dubois, Bull. Soo. Zool. vi. p. 268 (1881) ; Peters 

 Sr bona, Ann. Mus. Oenov. xvi. p. 688 (188r). • 



Echidna aouleata lawesi, Thorn. P. Z. S. 1885, p. 338, pi. xxiii. fig. A 

 (skull), and pi. xxiv. fig. D (claws). 



POKT MOBESBT EcHEDNA. 



Very similar to the typical variety (see next page) in all respects, 

 but differing by its smaller size, shorter dorsal spines, which allow 

 the hair to be seen between them, the inore spinous character of the 

 covering of its head, belly, and limbs, and by its lighter and nar- 

 rower skull and proportionally longer muzzle. 



Dimensions. 



■?• 

 a (sMh). 

 millim. 



Head and body 350 



Tip of muzzle to eye 52 



Second hind claw 32 



Third Mud claw 11-8 



Skull, Sep p. 384. 



Sab. 8.E. New Guinea (as yet only known from Port Moresby). 



Type in the Sydney Museum. 



This Papuan variety of Echidna aculeata differs much less from 

 the common Australian form than the Tasmanian one does, agreeing 

 with it in the relative lengths of the hind claws and in the absence 

 of condyloid vacuities in the skull. Its small size, bristle-covered 

 head and beUy, and narrow skuU, however, combined with its differ- 

 ent locality, seem to justify its provisional retention as a distinct 

 geographical race. 



J Ad. sk. ) n Port Moresby (Jtev. W. O. Prof. H. N. Moseley 

 "" ■) Skull, f +• Lawea). [P.], 



shorter than second, and scarcely longer than 

 fourth. Condyloid Tacuities generally absent, 

 a'. Size smaller. Hairs of back partly visible 

 between spines. Skull very narrow.— Pa- 

 puan a. Var. lawesi. 



6'. Size larger. Hairs of back quite hidden by 



spines. Skull broader.-^ Australian b. Var. typica, p. 379. 



. Spines of back not hidingfthe fur. Head, belly, 

 and legs clothed with hair. Third hind claw 

 but little shorter than second. Condyloid 

 Tacuities generally present, 

 c'. Size larger. SkuU broad. — Tasmanian c. Var. sciosa, p. 381 . 



