Querquetulanae

or Querquctultanae virae, nymphs presiding over the green oak forests, near the porta querquetularia, or querquetulana, were believed to be possessed of prophetic powers. (Festus, p. 261, ed. Müller; Plin. Nat. 16.10, 15.37.) It should be observed that the word vira is the ancient feminine of vir, and signifies women. Hence virugo or viryo. [L.S]