The phalaena devastator is never seen during the day; it conceals itself in the crevices of buildings, and beneath the bark of trees. About sun-down it leaves its hiding-place, is constantly on the wing, and very troublesome about the candles in houses. It flies very rapidly, and is not easily taken.
Such is the description of this formidable enemy to vegetation. No efficacious method has yet been taken to prevent its ravages, but the one who could accomplish it, would do the cause of agriculture an essential service.
Art. XIV. Description of a New Genus of North American Fresh water Fish, Exoglossum.
Art. XIV. Description of a New Genus of North American Fresh water Fish, Exoglossum, by C. S. Rafinesque, Esq.
Mr. Lesueur has published, in the 5th Number of the Journal of the Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia, for September, 1817, the description of a new fish, which he calls Cyprinus maxillingua: he considers it as a very singular and anomalous species, owing to the peculiar structure of its lobed lower jaw and tongue, which is external, and situated as an appendage to the former. It was discovered in Pipe-creek, Maryland, in June, 1816, by said author, who confesses that he does not consider it as properly belonging to the genus Cyprinus, and presumes that when other species shall be discovered, possessing the same character, they will constitute a separate genus. Although this principle and presumption is correct, it was wrong to delay the formation of such a distinct genus, because only a species was then known, since so many genera are composed of single species. However, Mr. Lesueur's expectation was verified even before he wrote it, since in May, 1817, I had discovered in the Fishkill, State of New-York, another, species, evidently congenerous with the Cyprinus maxillingua, having the same structure of the mouth, &c. I therefore venture to establish a separate genus for those two species, having no doubt that many more will hereafter be added to it by accurate observers, and I give to it the name of Exoglossum, meaning outside tongue. It will belong to the same natural order and family of the genera Cyprinus, Catostomus, &c.
Exoglossum. Generic Definition.—Body oblong, thick, and scaly; head without scales, mouth without lips or teeth, upper jaw longer, entire; the lower trilobed, middle lobe longer, performing the office of tongue; dorsal fin opposite to the abdominal fins; three rays to the branchial membrane.
Remarks. Besides the above characters, the two species known at present have, in common, the lateral line ascending upwards at the base, the tail forked, &c.
1. Species. Exoglossum vittatum, Raf. Cyprinus maxillingua, Lesueur. Specific Definition.—Back brownish olive; sides blue, with a brownish band; a black spot at the base of the caudal fin, lower parts silvery gray; lateral line ascending upwards at the base; dorsal and anal fins with nine rays; tail forked.