The series consists of 31 watercolour paintings of fish, created while Elizabeth Gwillim and Mary Symonds were living in Madras, India (modern-day Chennai). The paintings are preceded by an introductory page of notes by Casey A. Wood. The paintings were originally attributed to Gwillim by Wood, largely on the basis of handwriting, but have more recently been tentatively attributed to Mary Symonds approximately around the year 1805 on the basis of information found in the sisters' correspondence. The fishes depicted are identified by a handwritten caption in the margin of each painting. Approximately one third of the paintings also feature an additional caption written in an Urdu script. These paintings may be copies of Symonds' originals created by a local artist in India. Item 30 (Crocodilus palustris) also contains additional manuscript notes.
Drawing of a Northern Pike from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: Freshwaters of Europe, Asia, and North America.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of an immature Atlantic Salmon from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: The North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
Drawing of a European Smelt from a 18th century specimen [modern geographical distribution: The North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea.] Attributed to Peter Paillou.
Paillou, Peter, approximately 1720-approximately 1790
