TITICACA. 312 TITLE. em part of the closed basin. In former ages the lake occupied the whole of the basin. Its sur- face stood then much higher, and it discharged eastward into the Amazon. The region around Lake Titicaca was one of the seats of early In- dian civilization, and contains many interesting architectural remains, some of which antedate the Incan periods. The most imposing of the ruins are those of Tialuianaco (q.v.). (See Peruvian Antiquities; Peruvian Arcii.e- OLOGT. ) The lake was formerly navigated only by crude Indian rafts, but since the opening of a railroad to Arequipa and tilie Pacific Coast steamboats have plied on it. Consult: Pentland, The Laguna de Titicaca (London, 1848) : Pro- ceedings of the American Academy of Aits and Sciences (Philadelphia, 1876). TITIENS, tet'yens, Teresa. See Tietjens. TITIES. One of the three patrician tribes of ancient Rome, the others being the Luceres and Ramnes. TITI-MONKEY, or Tee-tee. A small South American squirrel-monkey (q.v.) of the genus Chrysothrix or Callithrix: but the word is often used for a marmoset. They are gentle, beauti- ful, playful little creatures in great repute as pets in their own country, but too delicate to survive in cold climates. TITLAKK (from tit, from Icel. tittr, little bird, probably connected with Eng. tit, small thing + lark). A small, brown, terrestrial bird {Anthus Penns;ilranicus) of the wagtail or pipit family (Motacillidae) , allied to the larks, and familiar throughout North America during its migrations. It breeds, nesting on the ground, in the far north, and winters in the tropics, and in spring gives a pleasing song. A near relative is the 'Missouri skylark' {yeocoriis Spraguci), of the Western plains, whose habits and song, uttered while soaring in the air. closely re- sendde those of the skylark. In this group come the numerous European wagtails (ilotaeilla) , which keep near streams and flirt their long tails incessantly, and the pipits (Anthus). sev- eral species of which are among the most pleasing of European summer birds, frequenting fields, open spaces, and rocky slopes, and singing much like finches. Consult Coues, Birds of the yorth- tcest (Washington, 1874). TITLE (OF. title, titre, tilt re, Fr. titre. title, from Lat. titiihis, title, superscription, token). The union of all the elements which constitute legal ownership of property, or the means by which a person holds property. The common-law autliorities are to the effect that there are three essential elements to a complete title: possession, the right of possession, and right of property. This is technically true, but the latter two requi- sites are practically interchangeable, and it is customary to speak of title as consisting of pos- session with right of possession. (See Posses- sion. ) Title to property may be vested in one or a number of persons. All titles to real estate are acquired by descent or inirchnsc. A title by descent is one which is acquired by an heir of a deceased person by virtue of the laws of in- testacy and succession. Any other source of title is said to be by purchase. The latter term is u.sed technically, as it includes other means than a bargain and sale, as, for example, a devise of property in a will. By virtue of the statute of limitations, twenty years' adverse possession of real estate will give the occupant a good title in most States. Title to patentable inventions is said to vest in the inventor by virtue of original acquisition, but the real source of owiiership is really derived from the protection secured by the patent laws. A title may be capable of being estaljlished in a court of law and yet have such api)arent defects as not to be readilj' salable. A court of equity will not compel a purchaser to accept a title which is not marketable. Consult the authorities referred to under Property; Real PEopERxy: Possession; etc.; and also see Ten- ure; Occupancy; Title, Registration of; etc. TITLE, Registration of. A sy.stem of of- ficial examination and registration of titles to real estate prevailing in England and some of the LTnited States. The present English system is the result of agitation and experimental legis- lation for upward of fifty years. The common- law methods of land transfer involved great e.x- pense and delay for searches, etc., and no satis- factory assurance of security on the passing of title. Prior to the legislation hereinafter men- tioned, the practice in England was for a vendor to give a purchaser of land what was called a 'si.xty years title.' that is, an abstract of his chain of title for a period of sixty years last past. A search made for a purchaser was not used again upon another sale, except possibly by way of comparison, and the enormous expense at- tendant upon the transfer of land was prohibitive of the conveyance of small tracts, and thus tend- ed to keep lands in the hands of a few. The first act in England providing for registration of titles was passed in 1802. An immense amount of property was registered under this act. It was superseded in 1875 by a Land Transfer Act, which was designed to "simplify titles and facili- tate the transfer of land.' The act provided for the establishment of a Registry Office, to be in charge of an officer known as the Registrar, who was required to be a barrister of at least ten years' standing. Under its provisions any owner or jierson having power to sell land may apply to the Registrar to be registered as having an absolute or possessory title. If a jnirchaser ap- plies for registration, the vendor must consent thereto. The Registrar is required to examine into the title, and the vendor may be required to establish liis title by a prima facie case before the Registrar is obliged to pass on the validity of the title. Due notice of a hearing before the Registrar must be given to persons Avho have lodged 'cautions,' or notices of claim to the land, with the Registrar. The latter can compel the production of deeds and other documents to aid him in liis determination. The land register should show all incumbrances on registered free- hold property. Provision is made for indemnity for loss sustained through error in registration. A person registering property is given a cer- tificate of that fact, and a purchaser is entitled to a land certificate. A proposed act for com- pulsory registration, introduced in 1895. was de- feated. An important amendment to the act of 1875 was passed in 1897. One of its most im- portant provisions is for the establishment of a 'real representative' of a deceased owner of real estate. The language of the act explains clearly this innovation : "Where real estate is vested in
