W

n. (Eng. Law.) Stolen goods waived or scattered by a thief in his flight in order to effect his escape. Goods found of which the owner is not known; originally, such goods as a pursued thief threw away to prevent being apprehended, which belonged to the king unless the owner made pursuit of the felon, took him, and brought him to justice. 1 Bl. Comm. 296. This prerogative has never been adopted here against the true owner, and never put in practice against the finder, though against him there would be better reason for adopting it.

Hence, anything found, or without an ...