Catesby, Mark. Vol.II, Tab. 21, The Black Murey

Mark Catesby The Black Murey, Vol.II, Tab. 21 Etching with hand color 19" x 14" sheet From Volume II, Part 7 of Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida & the Bahama Islands London: 1736 - 1771 Currently known as the spotted muray, Gymnothorax moringa and and an unidentified Gorgoniidae*, Catesby described these subject as follows: MURAENA MACULATA NIGRA. The black Murey. The Form of these is like that of the green Murey differing only in Colour, their being black and spotted all over, very thick with blacker Spots; they are very ravenous & strong and when pulled out of the Water with a Hook and Line will by their violent twistings break off and often bring up with them Branches of Coral or other Sea Vegitables amongst which they sport, and are mostly found. Some of them arrive to the Length of four Feet, tho' they are most commonly smaller. Lithophyton longe racemosum cortice flavo persorato. These, as also certain other Submarine Productions, are mostly found to abound