or Caniculus, in the Byzantine antiquities, a golden standish or ink vessel, decorated with precious stones, in which was kept the sacred encanum, or red ink, wherewith the emperors signed their decrees, letters, &c. The word is by some derived from canis, or canicula; alluding to the figure of a dog which it represented, or rather because it was supported by the figures of dogs. The caniculum was under the care of a particular officer of state.

CANINE Madness. See Medicine.

CANNINI, John Angelo and Marc Anthony, brothers and Romans, celebrated for their love of antiquities. John excelled in designs for engraving on stones, particularly heads, and Marc engraved them. They were encouraged by Colbert to publish a succession of heads of the heroes and great men of antiquity, designed from medals, antique stones, and other ancient remains; but John died at Rome soon after the work was begun. Marc Anthony, however, procured assistance, finished, and published it in Italian in 1689. The cuts of this edition were engraved by Cannini, Picard, and Valet; and a curious explanation is given, which discovers the skill of the Canninis in history and mythology. The French edition of Amsterdam, in 1731, is spurious.