the surface; the exterior part, superficial area, or face of a thing.-everything on the surface of a piece of ground, or of a building, so closely connected by art or nature as to constitute a part of it, as houses, or other superstructures, fences, trees, vines, etc.-a real right consisting of a grant by a landed proprietor of a piece of ground, bearing a strong resemblance to the long building leases granted by landholders in england, in consideration of a rent, and under reservation of the ownership of the soil.