382 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 



for speculative exploration concerning the particular race of 

 fishes that gave origin to the now highly specialised Salmon 

 tribe. This subject, however, is too extensive and abstruse a 

 one to be dealt with on the present occasion, and one also 

 apart from the more immediate objects of this paper. 



The purpose of this present paper is to demonstrate how 

 extensively corresponding deep-seated band-like markings 

 are developed among other fishes, being, in a similar manner, 

 most conspicuous in immature individuals, but frequently 

 surviving- in the adult fish, or remaining latent and capable 

 of re-development under certain natural or artificially pro- 

 duced conditions. My earliest observations in this connection 

 were conducted at Hobart during the tenure of my engage- 

 ment as Superintendent and Inspector of Fisheries to the 

 Colony of Tasmania, between the years 1884 and 1889, and 

 in association with the aquarium and enclosed ponds for the 

 cultivation of marine fish that, with the approval of the 

 Government, were constructed to my plans at Battery Point. 

 As that aquarium is still in existence, and 1 understand in 

 working order, on the Museum premises, the opportunity 

 will doubtless be afforded to members of the Association of 

 verifying for themselves certain of the most interesting 

 phenomena here placed on record. 



The first and most interesting group of fishes to which I 

 would direct attention is that for which Tasmania is so justly 

 famous, popularly known as " Trumpeters," and referred by 

 icthyologists to the family of the Cirrhitidce. The so-called 

 " Real " or Hobart Trumpeter, Latris hecateia, occupies 

 par excellence, from a gastronomic standpoint, as members of 

 the Association will have already tested, a foremost position 

 in this highly-useful family group. As seen in its native 

 element, or in the tanks of an aquarium, the Hobart 

 Trumpeter is a wonderfully handsome fish. Its characteristic 

 hues under such conditions are a ground colour of pale sea- 

 green, upon which are superimposed a series of somewhat 

 irregular longitudinal bands of dark olive-green, blended 

 with yellow. In the event of living specimens of this fish 

 not being accessible, I may refer to the coloured plaster 

 casts representing this species, among many others, executed 

 by myself from life and placed in the Tasmanian Museum. 

 The special point to which I would direct attention is the 

 longitudinal direction of the colour marks of this fish as seen 

 under ordinary conditions. Happening one night to inspect 

 the tanks by lantern light, I was greatly surprised to observe 



