ARTIFICIAL

Created by art, or by law; existing only by force of or In contemplation of law. Artificial force. In patent law. A natural force so transformed in character or energies by human power as to possess new capabilities of action; this transformation of a natural force into a force practically new involves a true inventive act. Wall v. Leek, 66 Fed. 555, 13 C. C. A. 630. Artificial persons. Persons created and devised by human laws for the purposes of society and government, as distinguished from natural persons. Corporations are examples of artificial persons. 1 Bl. Comm. 123. Chapman v. Brewer, 43 Neb. 890, 62 N. W. 320, 47 Am. St. Rep. 779 ; Smith v. Trust Co., 4 Ala. 568. Artificial presumptions. Also called “legal presumptions;” those which derive their force and effect from the law, rather than their natural tendency to produce belief. 3 Starkie, Bv. 1235. Gulick v. Loder, 13 N. J. Law, 72, 23 Am. Dec. 711. Artificial succession. The succession between predecessor and successors in a corporation aggregate or sole. Thomas v. Dakin, 22 Wend. (N. Y.) 100. Artificial watercourse.