10 CATALQGUE OF MAMMALS FROM NEW GTJIKi.A. 



a distinct genus. The outer and inner toes of the fore-feet are very 

 small, rudimentary and clawless. 



d. Dasyurina. 

 Phascogale (Antechinus) melas. 



Phascogale (Antechinus) melas, Miiller, Verhand. t. 25. f. 1-3. 

 Hab. New Guinea (Miiller). 



The animal differs, according to the figure, in having the hair of 

 the tail rather more elongated and spreading than the Australian 

 species of the genus ; the dentition is more nearly allied to the Ante- 

 chinus than to the new genus Myoictis sent home by Mr. Wallace. 



Myoictis. 

 Myoictis, J. E. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858. 



Head tapering ; nose acute ; whiskers strong. Tail depressed, 

 tapering, clothed with rather elongated hairs above and on the sides ; 

 the under side flat, nakedish. Feet moderate.; soles bald to the 

 heel ; toes 5 '5, free, tompressed ; claws acute ; first and fifth front 

 toes equal ; second, third and fourth toes equal, longer ; hinder toes 

 free, weak, distinct, clawless ; thumb of- hind-foot larger. Ears 

 roundish, nakedish. Scrotum pendulous. 



Cutting teeth ij ~ ; the upper with a central space in front between 

 them, in a close series on each side, and with a small interspace be- 

 tween them and the canines ; the first tooth very small, hidden in 'the 

 gums, the others all equal, lancet-shaped, rather crowded ; the lower 

 forming a continued series, shelving forward, all lancet-shaped, sub- 

 equal ; the front rather the longest and narrowest ; the hinder rather 

 broader. 



Canines -^~i conical ; the upper not quite developed, only slightly 

 produced above the level of the other teeth ; the lower small, conical 

 scarcely raised above the other teeth (figs. 3, 4). 



False grinders 5^, conical, compressed ; the lower with a very 

 obscure, the upper with a rather more distinct, conical tubercle on 

 the front and hinder edge (figs. 3, 4). 



True grinders ^ ; the upper large, triangular, acutely lobed ; 

 the lower compressed, very acutely lobed ; the middle one in each 

 jaw the largest. 



The angle of the lower jaw is produced, elongate and strongly in- 

 flexed, as is usual in Marswpialia. 



Skull : length, 1 inch 3 lines ; width, all the zygomatic arch, 9 lines ; 

 length of the tooth-line 9 lines. Length of the lower jaw 1 1-J-, of 

 symphysis 4|, of tooth-line 7| lines (figs. 1, 2, 3, 4). 



This genus is peculiar, because, as far as the dentition is concerned, 

 there is no character by which we should have determined that it 

 was a Marsupial animal ; but the form of the angle of the lower 

 jaw at once shows its true affinity to that group. It was not until a 



