FERONIA, fĕ-rō'nĭ-ạ, (1) An ancient Italian goddess, who presided over woods and orchards. The ancient grove, not far from Anxur (Terracina), was consecrated to her, and is very celebrated. Emancipated slaves received a cap in her temple as a badge of freedom. (2) A genus of beetles of the family Carabidæ. (3) A genus of plants allied to the orange.