or LEMURALIA, a feast solemnized at Rome on the 9th of May, to pacify the shades of the dead, or in honour of the lemures.—It was instituted by Romulus, to appease the ghosts of his murdered brother Remus, which he thought was continually pursuing him to revenge the horrid crime.—The name lemuria is therefore supposed to be a corruption of Remuria, i.e. the feast of Remus. Sacrifices continued for three nights, the temples were shut up, and marriages were prohibited during the solemnity. A variety of whimsical ceremonies were performed, magical words made use of, and the ghosts desired to withdraw, without endeavouring to hurt or affright their friends above ground. The chief formalities were ablution, putting black beans into their mouths, and beating kettles and pans, to make the goblins keep their distance.