a festival observed by the Romans in honour of Juno. It was instituted on account of certain prodigies that happened in Italy, and was celebrated by matrons. In the solemnity two white cows were led from the temple of Apollo into the city through the gate called Carmentalis, and two images of Juno, made of cypresses, were born in procession. Then marched 27 girls, habited in long robes, singing an hymn to the goddess; then came the Decemviri, crowned with laurel, in vestments edged with purple. This pompous company, going through the Via Jugurthi, had a dance in the great field of Rome; from thence they proceeded through the Forum Boarium to the temple of Juno, where the victims were sacrificed by the Decemviri, and the cypresses images were left standing. This festival is not mentioned in the sagas of Ovid, but is fully described by Livy, lib. 7, dec. 3. The hymn used upon the occasion was composed by Livius the poet.