SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 251, 1 April 1875, Page 4

SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO NEW GUINEA.

(From the S. M. Herald.') Although it is now considerably more than three centuries and a half since the large island of Papua, or New Guinea, was discovered by the Portuguese commanders D'Abreu and Serram, it appears somewhat surprising to reflect that, as a country, it remains practically unknown to Europeans. Nearly fifty years ago the Dutch, it is true, attempted to form a settlement at Port Du Bus, in Triton's Bay ; but they were soon compelled to abandon that low-lying spot, in consequence of the unhealthiness of the climate, which there appeared to be absolutely fatal to Europeans. Later (in 1835) an expedition fitted out by the same maritime people, undertook to survey the supposed " Eiver Dourga" —beginning at about 100 miles to the N.E. of Palse Cape, latitude 824 South, and longitude 13738 East—but (beyond proving that the " river" was a strait ninety miles long, and defining the limits of Prince Frederick Hendrik's Island) not much was then effected by the Dutch, who have peculiar facilities for prosecuting their researches in this direction. French expeditions commanded by Duperrey and Dumont D'Urville (18225, 1827-9, 1837-40) have also added to our knowledge of the southern, western, and northern coasts of New Guinea, but our own countrymen have, more recently, explored much of this terra incognita, so interesting to the geographer, the ethnologist, and the naturalist. In 1845, Captain Blackwood, of H.M.S. Fly, surveyed the Great Bight on the south-east coast, nd after C aptain Blackwood, Captain Stanley, of the Eattlesnake; Lieutenant Yule, of the Bramble; and Captain Moresby, of the Basilisk, all made further discoveries in those parts. A scientific commission, sent by the Netherlands in 1858, also carried on the work; and Signor D'Alberti (the Italian traveller and naturalist) has yet more lately labored in the same field, and not without results honorable to himself and useful to science. In spite of all this, however, New Guinea remains still unknown, a country full of problems that yet await satisfactory solution. Ifc is to solve some of these problems, and (more especially) to add to the resources of natural history, as opened up in the vast island of New Guinea, that Mr William Macleay of this city has determined to fit out, at his own expense, an expedition to Papua to explore the coast, to visit the interior, and systematically to collect specimens of the flora and fauna of New Guinea. In preparation for this scientific expedition, Mr Macleay has purchased the Chevert, a fine barque of 350 tons, of which it is understood that Captain Edwardes is to be the commander. She is to be fitted up with every convenience for her appointed use and service, and will, it is expected, be ready for sea in May next. The Chevert is to carry a steam launch on deck for the navigation of rivers; for this expedition will be directed not merely to the pleasant and instructive labors of the naturalist, but to the exploration of the interior of the country generally, and to such an " exploitation " of its natural resources as must invest the cruise of the Chevert with a very special interest and importance.