ARSON

(Lat. ardeo, Iburn.) At Common Law, signifies the maliciously and voluntarily burning the house of another. This offence is now defined and regulated in its various degrees by the stat. 7 & 8 G. 4. c. 30. The subjects of arson are defined in two sections of this statute: the first, relating to buildings of every description, the latter to stacks of vegetable productions, (both these cla es of offences being capitally punishable,) and to crops ol corn, . standing or cut down, plantations, heath, , the firing of which is punishable with transportation ior seven years. [s. 104]