Branch

An offshoot, lateral extension or subdivision. A branch of a family stock is a group of persons, related among themselves by descent from a common ancestor, and related to the main stock by the fact that that common ancestor descends from the original founder or progenitor.

— Branch of the sea. This term, as used at common law, included rivers in which the tide ebbed and flowed. Arnold v. Mundy, 6 N. J. Law, 86, 10 Am. Dec. 356.

— Branch pilot. One possessing a license, commission, or certificate of competency issued by the proper authority and usually after an examination. U. S. v. Forbes, 25 Fed. Cas. 1141; Petterson v. State (Tex. Cr. App.) 58 S. W. 100; Dean v. Healy, 66 Ga. 503; State v. Follett, 33 La. Ann. 228.

— Branch railroad. A lateral extension of a main line ; a road connected with or issuing from a main line, but not a mere incident of it and not a mere spur or side-track, not one constructed simply to facilitate the business of the chief railway, but designed to have a business of its own in, the transportation of persons and property to and from places not reached by the principal line. Akers v. Canal Co., 43 N. J. Law, 110; Biles v. Rnilroad Co., 5 Wash. 509. 32 Pac. 211; Grennan v. McGregor, 78 Cal. 258, 20 Pac. 559; Newhall v. Railroad Co.., 14 111. 274; Blanton v. Railroad Co., 86 Va. 618, 10 S. E. 925.