A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

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]