Male and Female Dolphinfish

Description

Watercolor on paper drawing of "Male and Female Dolphinfish", January 17-18, 1796, from the Latrobe Sketchbooks, by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. This drawing features cross-sectional views of a male and female dolphinfish, also known as mahi-mahi. The square-headed male was "caught with the line" on January 17 and the round-headed female was caught on January 18. The drawing also features a closeup showing what the fish scales look like. Both fish were caught during Latrobe's four-month journey aboard the "Eliza" from England to Norfolk, Virginia. Following the death of his wife, he decided to emigrate to the United States. His ship arrived in March 1796.