CANAL. A trench dug for leading water in a particular direction, and
confining it.
2. Public canals are generally protected by the law which authorizes
their being made. Various points have arisen under numerous laws authorizing
the construction of canals, which have been decided in cases reported in 1
Yeates, 430; 1 Binn. 70; 1 Pennsyl. 462; 2 Pennsyl. 517; 7 Mass. 169; 1
Sumu. 46; 20 Johns. 103, 735; 2 Johns. 283; 7 John. Ch. 315; 1 Wend. 474; 5
Wend. 166; 8 Wend. 469; 4 Wend. 667; 6 Cowen, 698; 7 Cowen, 526 4 Hamm. 253;
5 Hamm. 141, 391; 6 Hamm. 126; 1 N. H. Rep. 339; See River.