Queer Animal of Northern

New Guinea

Letter to the Editor.

IT is claimed, in your September issue, that Mr. McLaren discovered a new animal in the St. Matthias group, New Guinea.

I am sorry to contradict; but Mr.

McLaren’s discovery is a bit late.

Twenty-five years ago I made a collec tion of these animals, on the island of Kaliu, in the St. Matthias group. There are white ones; some brown back and white belly; and some spotted brown and white, like a panther.

The Germans knew all about this animal —they took many photographs of them on my place. I am of opinion that they are well known in Germany.

The same kind of animal may be found over in the Manus group, but they are pitch black.

I send you herewith a photograph of one of these animals —it had a brown back and white belly.

I am, etc.,

N. J. Vanderghinste.

Watut, Via Wau, T.N.G.

November 11, 1935.

It was stated in our September issue that Captain McLaren, formerly an S.D.A. mis sionary, had brought three of the mar supials to Victoria —two carcases and one live specimen; that they were the “Cuscus” species; that these were the only known specimens outside of St. Matthias; and that Professor Wood Jones had named them the “McLaren Opossum.”

Mr. K. Hufnagel-Betham, surveyor in the Samoa Lands Department, was a passenger to New Zealand by the Nov ember Maui Pomare.

A photograph, taken 25 years ago, of one of the queer little animals.