Sewen, Ssalmo Cambricus
1803
Edward Donovan’s 1803 illustration of the 'Sewen' (Ssalmo Cambricus) captures the sleek, silvery-blue body of a Welsh sea trout with meticulous, almost photographic precision. Notice the sharp teeth and the striking yellow eye, details that remind us this isn't just a pretty picture, but a serious piece of early 19th-century scientific documentation. Before the invention of underwater photography, artists like Donovan were the eyes of the natural world, hand-coloring engravings to catalog Britain's aquatic life for curious readers. It’s a beautiful blend of art and biology that makes you wonder what other strange creatures were hiding in the rivers of the 1800s!
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