The Black Muray (Muraenae helenae varietas) Possibly 1754

This illustration by Mark Catesby depicts a black moray eel, also known as a "Muraena helenae varietas," swimming amongst seagrass. Catesby, an English naturalist, created this work as part of his "Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands" published between 1729 and 1747. Catesby's focus was on capturing the beauty and diversity of flora and fauna he encountered during his expeditions to North America, bringing those exotic creatures to life with his intricate and lifelike illustrations. This particular illustration from the series, with its detailed depiction of the eel and its underwater environment, exemplifies Catesby’s passion for scientific accuracy and artistic skill, making it a valuable resource for natural history enthusiasts.