436 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
paradise-birds are yet known to inhabit the islands, and 
it is probable that none exist. Both the cassowary 
(C. Bennetti ) and the white cockatoo are found in New 
Britain, but, curiously enough, neither exists in New 
Ireland. Apart from the bats, which are numerous, some 
thirteen or fourteen kinds being known, the mammalia 
are limited to about six species, among them being a 
small kangaroo. 
The British islands of New Guinea, although perhaps 
as numerous, are by no means so important as those 
belonging to Germany. The Louisiade Archipelago 
appears to be a continuation of the eastern promontory 
of the mainland, while to the north of the latter a rough 
triangle is formed by three groups—the D’Entrecasteaux, 
Trobriand, and Woodlark islands. A large and thickly- 
packed mass of islands are grouped round the same 
promontory, and form the eastern boundary of China 
Strait. These, with the exception of Samarai, on which 
is the Government station, are of no great importance. 
The Louisiades were probably discovered by Torres 
as long ago as 1606, but though contributions to our 
knowledge of them were made by D’Entrecasteaux and 
Bougainville, it is only quite recently that any details 
have been obtained of this labyrinth of reefs and islands, 
and Captain Moresby, during his survey of 1873-74, was 
the first to make his way through the barrier of reefs at 
Teste Island. Bossel Island occupies the terminal 
position in the group. It is 21 miles in length, densely 
wooded, and composed of stratified rocks rising to a height 
of 2750 feet. It shows traces of gold. The people are 
cannibals, and are remarkable as not infrequently 
exhibiting the very singular dental abnormality of 
macrodontism, several teeth being joined together. 
Sudest is the largest and most important of the group,. 
