in ichthyology, the trivial name of a species of squalus. See SQUALUS.

or CANICULUS, in astronomy. See ASTRONOMY, Of fixed stars.

It is also a name given to one of the stars of the constellation canis major, called the dog-star, and by the Greeks, Sirius.

CANICULAR days, commonly called dog-days, a certain number of days preceding and ensuing the heliacal rising of canicula, or the dog-star, in the morning. The Ethiopians and Egyptians began their year at the rising of the dog-star, reckoning to its rise again the next year, which is called the annus canarius. The Romans supposed it to be the cause of the fultry weather usually felt in the dog-days; and therefore sacrificed a brown dog every year at its rising, to appease its wrath.

The dog-days begin towards the end of July, and end the beginning of September.