66 TlMEHRl. 
The Megalosoma attseon, another beetle of this genus, 
closely resembles the inse6t described above, but is 
slightly inferior to it in size, and has a wrinkled surface. 
The classical proper name Aftseon has been applied to 
this inse6l because its horn resembles that of a stag, 
ACTION being a famous hunter who, fable says, was 
changed into a stag by DlANA. Beetles of this genus 
are sometimes called Orytlides from the Greek word 
Oryx, a long-horned antelope. Both the species which 
I have noticed above are sometimes found about the 
mouth of the Essequebo, and occasionally in Wakenaam 
and the Troolie Islands. 
The Strategus or Scarabseus alceus which also belongs 
to the family of the Scarabaeidae, is rather an imposing 
beetle, being about an inch and a quarter long, and three 
quarters of an inch broad. This beetle bores into the 
earth, and if it gets under young cocoanut trees kills 
them. In young cocoanut plantations it is often very 
destructive and if not carefully watched might kill 
every plant. It is generally brought to the surface 
by pouring oil or strong lime-water into its hole. Though 
apparently able to breathe in water, it cannot breathe 
in oil or water saturated with lime, and consequently 
when its hole is filled with either of these fluids it has to 
come out and may then readily be destroyed. Strategus 
is a Greek word meaning General, and possibly when the 
Rev. F. W. HOPE gave the beetle this name he had in 
his mind some General like Prince Maurice of Nassau, 
whose favourite method of taking strongholds was by 
digging mines or subterranean passages under them. 
Alceus was the reputed father of the giants who 
threatened the Olympian gods with war, and the term 
