a little wooden pallet or slice, reputed the schoolmaster's sceptre, wherewith he chastises the boys, by striking them on the palm of the hand. The word is Latin, and has also been used to denote the prelate's crozier and staff. It is supposed to be formed of the Latin, ferire, "to strike." Under the eastern empire, the ferula was the emperor's sceptre, as is seen on divers medals; it consists of a long stem or shank, and a flat square head. The use of the ferula is very ancient among the Greeks, who used to call their princes ἐπικεφαλίστροι, q. d. "ferula-bearers."

In the ancient castrum church, ferula or narthex signified a place separated from the church; wherein the penitents or the catechumens of the second order, called auxiliantes, expurgantes, were kept, as not being allowed to enter the church; whence the name of the place, the penitents therein being under penance or discipline: sub ferula erant ecclesia.

Fennel-giant, in botany: A genus of the dignya order, belonging to the pentandria clasps of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 4th order, Umbellate. The fruit is oval, compressed plane, with three striae on each side. There are nine species; all of them herbaceous perennials, rising from three to ten or twelve feet high, with yellow flowers. They are propagated by seeds, which should be sown in autumn; and, when planted out, ought to be four or five feet distant from each other, or from any other plants; for no other will thrive under their shade. The drug affaetida is obtained from a species of ferula; though not peculiarly, being also produced by some other plants.