DISTRINGAS

In English practice. A. writ directed to the sheriff of the county 1n which a defendant resides, or has any goods or chattels, commanding him to distrain up. on the goods and chattels of the defendant for forty shillings, in order to compel his ap. pea.ranee. 3 Steph. Comm. 567. This writ i ues in cases where it is found impracticable to get at the defendant personally, so as. to serve a summons upon him. Id. A d.tatrmgas is also used 1n equity; as the first proce 10 compel the a,ppearance of a [s. 388]