NEW GUINEA AND THE PAPUANS 397 
forms. New Guinea may be regarded as the metropolis 
of the rich Helicidan fauna which is also characteristic 
of the northern group of the Moluccas, of N.E.. 
Australia, and of the Solomons and neighbouring groups. 
Here abound species of Papuina and Insularia, among 
which are found, if not the largest, certainly the most 
finished, forms of all existing Helices. Obbina and 
Physota , genera which culminate in the Philippines, 
here find their most eastward extension.” Considerable 
traces of a Polynesian element are found, especially in 
the eastern part of the island (. Partula , Tornatellina , 
Thalassia). The land operculates are feebly represented 
as compared with the true Pulmonata, and are mostly of 
marked Polynesian type. Not a single Cyclophorus 
occurs, and Lagochilus , Alycceus , and all the tubed 
operculates, so characteristic of the Indo-Malay fauna, 
are conspicuous by their absence. A single Perrierm is 
a very marked feature of union with Queensland, where 
the only other existing species occurs, and a solitary 
Phytida, so far the only representative of the group of 
carnivorous snails, emphasises this union still further. 
Little is known of the fresh-water molluscs, but on the 
whole the relations appear to be Australian rather than 
Indo-Malayan. 
7. The Papuan Race. 
We now come to the consideration of the peoples in¬ 
habiting the vast area just described. Whatever opinions 
may be held concerning the place of origin of the 
Papuan, there is no doubt that New Guinea—and, still 
further to restrict, the north-western portion of it—is 
now the focus of that race. Further, no other race 
inhabits this area, unless, as is held by some ethnologists,. 
