ACHELOUS, in fabulous history, wrestled with Hercules, for no less a prize than Deianira, daughter of King Oeneus: but as Achelous had the power of assuming all shapes, the contest was long dubious: at last as he took that of a bull, Hercules tore off one of his horns; so that he was forced to submit, and to redeem it by giving the conqueror the horn of Amalthea, the same with the cornucopiae or horn of plenty; which Hercules having filled with a variety of fruits, consecrated to Jupiter. Some explain this fable, by saying, That Achelous is a winding river of Greece, whose stream was so rapid, that it roared like a bull, and overflowed its banks; but Hercules, by bringing it into two channels, broke off one of the horns, and so restored plenty to the country. See the next article.