Note 392 — CANES VENATICI. Class II.

The etymology of the term Petronius is not of easy solution. By critics it has been fancifully derived from the firmness, strength, and hardness of the feet of this variety of dog; in consequence of which he was enabled to run over rough and rocky ground without Hist. Nat. L. i. 255. Gloss. Arch. p. 114.injury—κύων εὔπους. Gesner mentions a tributary stream of the Tiber called Petronia, “quòd per petras fluat.” Spelman, in his Glossary, gives Petrunculus as a synonym of Petronius, citing the above passage of Gratius; and underEjusd. p. 7. Wase’s illustrations. Acceptor, explains Petrunculus in a marginal note by “a brachet.” The Spanish use Perro, says Wase, as their common appellation of a dog.