FLORIN. The name of a foreign coin. In all computations of customs, the florin of the southern states of Germany, shall be estimated at forty cents; the florin of the Austrian empire, and of the city of Augshurg, at forty-eight and one-half cents. Act March 22, 1846. The florin of the United Netherlands is computed¹ at the rate of forty cents. Act of March 2, 1799, §61. Vide Foreign Coins.

FLOTSAM, or FLOTSAN. A name for the goods which float upon the sea when a ship is sunk, in distinction from Jetsam, (q. v.) and Legan. (q. v.) Bract. lib. 2, c. 5; 5 Co. 106; Com. Dig. Wreck², A Bac. Ab. Court of Admiralty, B.

FLUMEN, civ. law. The name of a servitude which consists in the right of turning the rain water, gathered in a spout³, on another's land., Ersk. Inst. B. 2, t. 9, n. 9. Vicat, ad vocem. See Stillicidium.

FOEDUS. A league; a compact.

FOENUS NAUTICUS . The name given to marine⁴ interest. (q. V.)

2. The amount of such interest is not limited by law, because the lender runs the risk of losing, his principal. Ersk. Inst. B. 4, t. 4, n. 76. See Marine Interest.

FOETICIDE, med. jur. Recently, this term has been applied⁵ to designate the act by which criminal abortion⁶ is produced. 1 Beck's Med. Jur. 288; Guy, Med. Jur. 133. See Infanticide; Prolicide.

FOETURA, civil law. The produce of animals, and the fruit of other property, which are acquired to the owner of such animals and property, by virtue⁷ of his right. Bowy. Mod. C. L. c. 14, p. 81.

FOETUS, med. jur. The unborn child. The name of embryo⁸ is sometimes given to it; but, although the terms are occasionally used indiscriminately, the latter is more frequently employed to designate the state of an unborn child during the first three months after conception, and by some until quickening. A foetus is sometimes described by the uncouth⁹ phrase of infant in ventre sa mere¹⁰.

2. It is sometimes of great importance, particularly in criminal law, to ascertain¹¹ the age of the foetus, or how far it has progressed towards maturity¹². There are certain signs which furnish evidence on this subject, the principal of which are, the size and weight, and the formation of certain parts as the cartilages, bones, &c. These are not always the same, much of course must depend upon the constitution and health of the mother, and other circumstances which have an influence on the foetus. The average length and weight of the foetus at different periods of gestation¹³, as deduced by Doctor Beck, from various observers, as found by Maygrier, is here given.

3. The discordance¹⁴ apparent between them proves that the observations which have been made, are only an approximation to truth.

4. It is proper to remark that the Paris pound poids de marc, which was the weight used by Maygrier, differs from avoirdupois weight used by Dr. Beck. The pouud poids de marc, of sixteen ounces, contains 9216 Paris grains, whilst the avoirdupois contains only 8532.5 Paris grains. The Paris inch is 1.065977 English inch. Vide, generally, 1 Beck's Med. Jur. 239; 2 Dunglison's Human Physiology¹⁵, 391; Ryauls Med. Jur. 137; 1 Chit. Med. Jur. 403; I Briand, Med. Leg. prem. partie, c. 4, art. 2; and the articles Birth; Dead Born; Foeticide; In ventre sa mere; infanticide; Life; and Quick with child.