FERAE, in zoology, an order of quadrupeds, the distinguishing characters of which are, that all the animals belonging to it have six fore-teeth in each jaw, and the canine, or dog-teeth, considerably long.

Under this order are comprehended the following genera, viz. the phoca, canis, felis, viverra, mustela, ursus, didelphis, talpa, forex, and erinaceus. See CANIS, FELIS, &c.

FERALIA, in antiquity, a festival observed among the Romans on February 21st, or, according to Ovid, on the 17th of that month, in honour of the manes of their deceased friends and relations. During the ceremony, which consisted in making presents at their graves, marriages were forbidden, and the temples of the divinities shut up; because they fancied that, during this festival, the ghosts suffered no pains in hell, but were permitted to wander about their graves, and feast upon the meats prepared for them.