ELEPHANT BEETLE. 
The formation of the Beetle, whatever may 
he it's species, is always like that of shell-fish ; 
the bones being placed externally, and the 
muscles within. These muscles greatly re- 
semble those of quadrupeds in their formation ; 
but are endued with such surprising strength 
tbat, bulk for bulk, they are a thousand times , 
stronger than those of man. This prodigious 
strength of the muscles is eminently useful in 
digging the animal's subterraneous abode ; 
where it is generally hatched, and to which it 
most frequently resorts, even after it becomes 
a winged inse61: capable of flying. 
To what has been remarked respe6ling the 
vast diversities of the Beetle families, may be 
added the wonderful differences in their origi- 
nal production. Some being produced in a 
month, and going through all their stages of 
(Existence in a single season ; while others take 
nearly four years in attaining to maturity, and 
live as winged inserts a year afterwards. 
The Elephant Beetle, considerably the lar- 
gest of the genus hitherto known, is found lu 
South America ; particulaily, at Guiann, Su- 
lii'.am, 
