EX, a river that rises in a barren tract of land, called Exmore, in Somersetshire; and after being joined by several little streams, runs by Tiverton, where there is a stone bridge over the river. About nine miles below Tiverton, it is joined by a pretty large stream called the Colompton; and about two miles lower, by another stream formed by the junction of the Horton and Credy. With these additions, it washes the walls of Exeter. At Topsham, above four miles below Exeter, it receives another considerable addition to its stream; two miles farther, it is joined by the Ken; and falls into the ocean at Exmouth, after a course of about 40 miles. Ships of great burden go up to Topsham, from whence vessels of 150 tons are conveyed to the quay at Exeter, by means of an artificial canal. The Ex is navigable for vessels of considerable burden to Topsham. The passage, however, at the mouth of the river, is but narrow, having rocks on the east-side and broad sands on the west; nor is the water on the bar more than six or seven feet deep at low water, but the tide rises 14 or 15 feet, so that it is deep enough at high water. When ships are within the
Ex officio bar, they may ride afloat at a place called Starcross, about a mile and an half from the river's mouth; but those that go to Topsham lie a-ground on the ooze at low water.
EX OFFICIO, among lawyers, signifies the power a person has, by virtue of his office, to do certain acts without being applied to. Thus a justice of peace may ex officio, at his discretion, take surety of the peace, without complaint made by any person whatsoever.
There was formerly an oath ex officio, whereby a supposed offender was compelled in the ecclesiastical court to confess, accuse, or clear himself of a crime; but this law is repealed.
Ex post facto, in law, something done after another: thus an estate granted may be good by matter ex post facto, that was not so at first, as in case of election.