SOCIETE EN COMMENDITE. This term is borrowed from the laws of France, and is used in Louisiana; the societe en commendite, or partnership¹ in commendam, is formed by a contract, by which one person or partnership agrees to furnish another person or partnership a certain amount, either in property or money, to be employed by the person or partnership to whom it is furnished, in his or their own name or firm, on condition of receiving a share in the profits, in the proportion determined² by the contract, and of being liable to losses and expenses to the amount furnished and no more. Civ. Code of Lo. art. 2810; Code de Comm. 26, 33; 4 Pard. Dr. Com. n. 1027; Dall. Dict. mots Societe Commerciale, n. 166. Vide Commendam; Partnership.

SOCIETY. A society is a number of persons united together by mutual³ consent, in order to deliberate, determine, and act jointly⁴ for some common purpose.

2. Societies are either incorporated and known to the law, or unincorporated, of which the law does not generally take notice.

3. By civil society is usually understood a state, (q. v.) a nation, (q. v.) or a body politic⁵. (q. v.) Rutherf. Inst. c. 1 and 2.

4. In the civil law, by society is meant a partnership. Inst. 3, 26; Dig. 17, 2 Code, 4, 37.

SODOMITE. One who his been guilty of sodomy. Formerly⁶ such offender⁷ was punished with great severity, and was deprived of the power of making a will.

SODOMY, crim. law. The crime against nature, committed either with man or beast.

2. It is a crime not it to be named; peccatum illud horrible, inter⁸ christianos non nominandum. 4 Bl. Com. 215; 1 East, P. C. 480, 487; Bac. Ab. h. t.; Hawk⁹. b. 1, c. 4; 1 Hale, 669; Com. Dig. Justices, S 4; Russ. & Ry. 331.

3. This crime was punished with great severity by the civil law. Nov. 141; Nov. 77; Inst. 4, 18, 4. See 1 Russ. on Cr. 568; R. & R. C. C. 331, 412; 1 East, P. C. 437.

SOIL. The superficies of the earth on which buildings are erected¹⁰, or may be

erected.

2. The soil is the principal, and the building, when erected, is the accessory. Vide Dig. 6, 1, 49.

SOIT DROIT FAIT AL PARTIE, Eng. law. Let right be done to the party. This phrase is written on a petition of right, and subscribed¹¹ by the king. See Petition of right.