CATALOGUE OF MAMMALS FROM NEW GUINEA. 



13 



The following observations may assist in showing the value of 

 these characters. 



Fig. 9. 



In Cuscus the fingers are rather longer than in Hepoona, and the 

 third or middle finger is the longest, the others becoming gradually 

 shorter on each side. 



In Phalangista proper (that is Trichosurus of Mr. Waterhouse) the 

 fingers are moderately long, the second and third are the longest and 

 equal, the fourth longer than the first, and the fifth or inner one 

 the shortest. 



The hand of the Hepoona is very like that of Phalangista, both in 

 the proportion and form of the fingers ; but the two inner fingers are 

 rather separated and opposable to the other three. 



The tail, though covered with hair, is very unlike those of the 

 genera Hepoona and Phalangista, and is more like that of a squirrel, 

 but not so bushy ; in Hepoona it is tapering and covered with 

 shortish hair, and has a slender tip ; in the more perfect specimen 

 of Phalangista it is cylindrical and equally covered with hair on all 

 sides. 



In Hepoona and Phalangista the grinders are placed in arched 

 series, and they are much larger compared with the size of the skull 

 than in this genus, and the hinder grinders are larger than the front 

 ones ; the front grinder in the upper jaw is larger, more elongate, 

 and compressed. 



Dactylopsila trivirgata. 



Bactylopsila trivirgata, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1858, t. 63. 



White ; three broad black stripes on the back, the outer ones 

 commencing on the side of the nose, enclosing the eyes, and con- 

 tinued along the side of the back ; the central one commencing on 

 the crown and continued to the end of the tail, being narrower at 

 the base of the tail : a large black square spot on each side of the 

 chin, separated by a narrow central line ; a large spot on the upper 

 surface of each leg ; the sides of the throat greyish, and the sides 



