335 



PHYTOTOMA. PLANT-CUTTER. 



Generic Character, 



Rostrum conicum, rectum, 



serratum. 

 Nares ovatae. 

 Lingua brevis, obtusa. 

 Pedes tetradactyli, digitis tri- 



bus anticis, uno postico. 



Beak conic, straight, and ser- 

 rated. 



Nostrils ovate. 



Tongue short and obtuse. 



Feet with four toes, placed 

 three before and one be- 

 hind. 



TThERE is but one species of this genus known : 

 it is very destructive to plants, as it cuts them off 

 close to the ground to get at the roots, upon which 

 it feeds ; and from this circumstance it has re- 

 ceived the name of Plant-cutter. 



