FERAE NATURAE, the name given to wild, as dis tinguished from domestic animals, including game, deer, etc. which are not regarded as legal property unless confined. A per son having such in his possession is responsible for any damage caused by them. Certain rights may be obtained by the owner of the property if the animals habitually resort to his land, as well as the privilege of hunting them. See GAME LAWS.
(Lachesis lanceolatus), a poisonous Amer ican snake allied to the copperhead and bushmaster (qq.v.). Reaching a length of 7 ft. it resembles a rattlesnake (q.v.) in ap pearance, but without the "rattle" of the latter, and is found almost throughout Central and South America. Its bite is usually fatal. The fer-de-lance feeds on rats and other small animals. FERDINAND, a name borne at various times by European sovereigns and princes (Span. Fernando or Hernando; Ital. Fer dinando or Ferrante; in O.H.G. Herinand, "brave in the host").