71 



The Trumpeter proper is readily known from the other 

 members of the genus by its finer and more elongate head, 

 and the three or four characteristic longitudinal white bars 

 along the sides of its body. It is very limited in its dis- 

 tribution, and favours the colder southern waters of the 

 Island. The fish are generally found on what are described 

 by the fishermen as coral reefs or banks, 10 to 70 fathoms 

 deep, and 3 to 10 miles off" the land. These banks are 

 distributed all round the southern coast of Tasmania, from 

 Macquarie Harbour, in the west, to Seymour, in the east. 

 There is no trustworthy record of Real Trumpeter being 

 caught much further north.* It has been reported that 

 Latris hecateia has been found off the coast of Victoria ; but, 

 as there are two or three Victorian smacks which regularly 

 fish in Tasmanian waters and bring their fish into Port 

 Phillip direct, it is possible that the supplies so brought 

 into market might be confounded with the supplies brought 

 from the Victorian coast. The duty at one time imposed 

 upon Tasmanian fish might also tend to favour such a 

 belief. 



In searching for the right fishing banks, the fishermen test 

 the bottom with heavy sinkers shod with grease. Should 

 there be any traces of coral they consider them favourable 

 indications of the presence of the fish, and they at once 

 proceed to sink their lines, even though it should be 

 70 fathoms deep. The lines are baited with Crayfish 

 ( Palinurus Edmardsu), or, afterwards, Sharks' flesh when 

 the fish come about. 



The Real Trumpeter takes bait readily ; but, owing to 

 the great depth and strong currents upon these outer reefs, 

 the large deep-water Trumpeter has never been attempted 

 to be taken in nets. All the boats employed in fishing for 

 Trumpeter are termed well-boats, — being fitted up with a 

 chamber to which the fresh sea-water has free communica- 

 tion by numerous perforations on the bottom and sides. 

 Immediately the fish are hauled in they are placed in these 

 open wells, and are thus preserved alive until sold in 

 market. Real Trumpeter will thus feed in confinement ; 

 and they have been known to live over three months in the 

 well-boats after capture. 



There are two well-marked varieties of Real Trumpeter 

 brought to market in Hobart. The one, the Deep Coral- 

 reef variety, large, and usually full of roe or milt, frequently 



* Mr. Barrett has since assured me that two specimens were caught 

 near Waterhouse Island in the neighbourhood of deep water. 



