not be distinguished from that of any other.  Co. 37. says ’note that Sodomy is with mankind.’  But Finch’s L. B. 3. c. 24.  ’Sodomitry is a carnal copulation against nature, to wit, of man or woman in the same sex, or of either of them with beasts.’ 12 Co 36. says, ’It appears by the ancient authorities of the law that this was felony.’  Yet the 25 H. 8. declares it felony, as if supposed not to be so.  Britton, c, 9. says, that Sodomites are to be burnt.  F. N. B. 269. b.  Fleta, L 1. c. 37. says, ’Pecorantes et Sodomise in terra, vivi confodiantur.’  The Mirror makes it treason.  Bestiality can never make any progress; it cannot therefore be injurious to society in any great degree, which is the true measure of criminality in foro cirili, and will ever be properly and severely punished, by universal derision.  It may, therefore, be omitted.  It was anciently punished with death, as it has been latterly.  LI AElfrid. 31. and 25 H. 8. c. 6. see Beccaria, Sec. 31.  Montesq.

     ****Bracton, Fleta, &c.

But no one shall be punished for Polygamy, who shall have married after probable information of the death of his or her husband or wife, or after his or her husband or wife hath absented him or herself, so that no notice of his or her being alive hath reached such person for seven years together, or hath suffered the punishments before prescribed for rape, polygamy, or sodomy.

Whosoever, on purpose, and of malice forethought, shall maim* another, or shall disfigure him by cutting out or disabling the tongue, slitting or cutting off a nose, lip, or ear, branding, or otherwise, shall be maimed, or disfigured in like** sort:  or if that cannot be for want of the same part, then as nearly as may be, in some other part of at least equal value and estimation, in the opinion of a jury, and moreover, shall forfeit one half of his lands and goods to the sufferer.

* 22 &l 23 Car. 2, c. 1.  Maiming was felony at the Common law.  Britton, c 95.  Mehemiurn autem dici poterit, ubi aliquis in aliqua. parte sui corporis la sionern acceperit, per quam affectus sit inutilis ad pugnandum:  ut sirnanus ampuletur, vel pes, octilus privetur, vel scerda de osse capitis lavetnr, vel si quis dentes praer. isores amiserit, vel castratus fuerit, et talis pro mahemiato poterit adjudicari.’  Flela, L. 1. c. 40.  ’Et volons que nul maheme nesoit tenus forsque de membre toilet dount home est plus feble a combatre, sicome, del oyl, on de la mayn, ou del pie, on de la tete debruse, ou de les dentz devant.’  Britton, c. 25.  For further definitions, see Braclon, L. 3. c. 24 Sec. 3. 4.  Finch, L. B. 3. c. 12; Co.  L. 126. a b 288. a; 3 Bl. 121; 4 Bl 205; Stamf.  P C. L. 1. c. 41.  I do not find any of these definitions confine the offence to wilful and malicious perpetrations of it. 22&23 Car. 2. c. 1, called the Coventry act, has the words ’on purpose and of malice forethought.’ or does the Common law-prescribe the same punishment